The basic definition of the word “pretext†is “a reason given in justification of an action that is not the real reason.†This can apply to most anything in life, but it certainly applies to identity theft. The Federal Trade Commission has created a term, “pretexting†to apply to thieves who pretend to be who they’re not to get your personal information. Some of the pretexting tactics that are used include:
**Claiming to be conducting research to get a person’s name, address and Social Security number
**Pretending to be a professional who should have authorized access to your financial accounts
**Acting like he uses the same bank as you and needs some account information in order to log on to the website
**Convincing you that your account has been compromised and he can help you recover your data, with some of your information of course
These tactics are more convincing when the thief already knows some information about you, such as if you are a homeowner or your birth date. Keep in mind that it is quite simple to find such information just by searching public records, which are easily available online if you know where to look.
The FTC wants to remind Americans that the following activities are illegal, and you should contact law enforcement immediately if someone tries any of these:
**Using false documents, such as financial statements to get information regarding your accounts at a financial institution
**Using stolen, lost or counterfeit documents for that same purpose
**Asking another individual to commit either of those above acts
These crimes can contribute to aggravated identity theft, which is simply identity theft in conjunction with another illegal activities.
At times you may be unsure as to whether an act is legitimate or not. If you have any doubt in your mind at all, do not provide any of your personal information. A good rule of thumb is that if the request is unsolicited – meaning you did not initiate the contact yourself – it is probably not on the up and up. You may alienate one legitimate person for every 10 identity thieves you passed off. No big deal.
Have you thought about purchasing an identity theft protection service? Now is the time. Of course, make sure to use common sense when shopping around. Always initiate contact and check out these providers as well. This website provides a great jumping off point, start by reading some of our reviews which will show exactly what each service provides.