Identity Crisis

The bad guys are in the cybercrime game and business is booming. Don’t make it easy for them.

THEY used to rob people with knives and guns – now they lurk in the shadows of the internet, stealing info, identities and money.

Identity theft in South Africa increased by 200% between 2009 and 2015, according to the South African Fraud Prevention Association, and last year 1,4 billion records were stolen online – that’s 44 every second, according to interna­tional digital security company Gemalto.

Here’s how you can protect yourself from identity theft and fraud.

WHAT IS IDENTITY THEFT?

It’s when someone pretends to be you. They then open accounts in your name or hijack your existing accounts to buy goods, get loans or cellphone contracts. Or they simply drain your bank account.

HOW DO THEY DO IT?

Your identity can be stolen in many ways once criminals have access to your per­sonal details, such as your identity number and bank account numbers. Virtually any document – printed or electronic – that contains your name and other per­sonal info puts you at risk of identity theft. These are the most common methods:

Phishing and spoofing. Someone im­personates a legitimate organisation, like a bank, and through phone calls, SMSes, fraudulent emails (phishing) and spoof websites trick you into sharing PINs, ID numbers and other info.

Examining your rubbish. Criminals scavenge through bins to find old bank statements or other documents with per­sonal info.

In person. They eavesdrop or spy on people during financial transactions.

Hacking. They break into computer databases and steal info.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU’RE A VICTIM?

Unexplained transactions or withdra­wals show up on your bank account.

You stop receiving accounts you usually get.