Online Identity Theft

Identity theft involves the unauthorized use and therefore abuse of one’s personal data. Names, addresses, telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, online access data to banking and credit card information; these are just a few examples of types of personal data that can be used against you when left unguarded. When access is gained to just a few of these aforementioned items, fraudsters - whether in the virtual world or in reality - are able to inflict considerable financial damage on their victims. All too often this information falls into the wrong hands faster than one expects. 

There are different ways for a criminal to gain access to sensitive online data. A security breach cannot always be chalked up to careless security: some tricks are so well orchestrated that even the most careful of users sometimes fall victim.

• Hacker attacks: Accounts registered with poorly secured passwords are easy prey for hackers, and using the same password for every account makes users especially vulnerable targets for attacks. Hacked passwords belonging to social media profiles can be used to log in to an online store where financial data is commonly stored. Customers are powerless to protect themselves if online retailers or other service providers have security lapses. Time and again tales of large-scale data thefts go around; most often such stories revolve around the loss of customer data, including payment data.

• Phishing mail: This increasingly popular method involves employing a special type of spam mail. Recipients of such mail are brought via link to a forged web site, such as an online payment service, that resembles the user interface of a known business. Users who fall for this ploy and enter their customer data or log-in password are directly forfeiting their personal information to fraudsters.

• Trojans: Downloading freeware or other files carries with it the risk of infecting your PC with a Trojan virus. The downloaded-software is able to intercept sensitive data and forward them to third parties. Enclosed files from spam mails are also known to contain such malware.  

• Social Engineering: The long-lost “grandson” suddenly decides to come and visit his elderly grandparent and swindle the possibly demented senior out of all the money he can. This tried and true criminal tactic can also be applied online. Fraudsters simply create a fake profile on a social media platform, and, by posing as a friend or family member, they then try to extract sensitive data or passwords through conversations or messages.

The unpleasant consequences of identity theft are generally financial in nature. Once criminals gain access to online profiles, banks, auction portals, etc., multiple financial instruments are at their disposal. Using the name of another person, fraudsters can make large orders and have these shipped directly to their address. PayPal can also be used to make purchases, and in the worst scenario, victims’ entire bank accounts or credit cards can be maxed out. When a hacker is granted access to such data, it is the equivalent of a thief getting their hands on someone’s wallet: IDs, credit cards and debit cards – nothing stands in the way of their next shopping spree.

Spam in my name

Not all cyber criminals are after payment information. Mere access to e-mail accounts or other communication channels, like Skype or Facebook, are enough to satisfy many of their needs. Creating a botnet is the goal of this mischievous undertaking. By using the stolen address of millions of different users, the botnet is able to spread spam en mass, and most of the time the victims remain unaware that their computer or e-mail address has been infected until it is too late.

Cyber bullying and defamation

Identity theft is not always just about financial gain. Data is also often misused for the purpose of harassing others online. By hijacking a social media account, hackers are able to spread rumors or lies, thereby damaging the victim’s reputation or the reputation of others. Misleading messages can be drafted, controversial political views can be expressed, or malevolent statements can be published in the name of the victim. Statements reported as hate speech make the victim appear to be the perpetrator, and, in serious cases, may call the attention of authorities. The resulting damaged reputation is not limited to one’s private life; work-related consequences can also arise from attacks. These types of attacks are very difficult to explain and often involve very long and drawn-out legal action.

Online shops under false names

Another type of scam has been a growing source of much frustration over the past few months. Cyber criminals are using stolen personal data to found and register online shops. Such platforms are commonly used to sell fake merchandise. This particularly ruthless form of identity theft puts victims at risk of being legally confronted by manufactures whose goods are being counterfeited. Victims should notify authorities as soon as they can in order to increase the chances of their name being cleared. Cases are only very rarely solved, and most of the time the perpetrators leave behind little or no trace of their deeds.

It can take weeks for some individuals to recognize that they have fallen prey to an online identity theft scheme. Only when mysterious bills, request for payment letters, or debt collection notices begin arriving do the victims finally begin to realize what has happened. Being mindful of and quickly reacting to suspicious transactions is the key to stopping fraudsters before things get out of hand.

Those who fear that their name is being misused can verify their suspicions with just a few easy steps. Registering a Google Alert for your name is a good place to start. With this service, an automatic e-mail notification is sent to the user anytime the name they are registered with appears online. Google’s reverse image search further allows users to check if their photos have been unrightfully used by others.

Most often users are informed and warned in cases where customer data has been stolen from large companies. Ideally, the affected business creates a webpage where users can check to see if they are affected.