Commercial Branch
BANKING CRIMES
Identity Theft
WHAT IS IDENTITY THEFT?
Identity theft is when someone steals your
personal information to use for illegal purposes
HOW THE SCAM WORKS
There are many ways, such as:
Scenario A: Theft
Stealing wallets and purses containing ID documents, credit and
bank cards; stealing mail, including bank and credit card
statements
Scenario B: Rummaging through dustbins
(dumpster diving)
Finding information in homes or offices
Scenario C: Intercepting personal information
Intercepting personal information shared on the Internet
Scenario D: Shoulder surfing
Shoulder surfing – the identity thief simply stands next to
someone and watches them complete personal information
How do they use your information?
Huge debts are then run up and left unpaid. The innocent victim
receives a bad credit listing with credit bureaus. Usually, you
only find your identity has been stolen when you legitimately
apply for credit and get turned down. Bank accounts, retail
accounts, loans and vehicle finance are obtained with your
detail with different mailing addresses. They can also take over
your current accounts by obtaining new cards and pin numbers.
DO’S
-
Manage your personal information wisely
-
Destroy personal financial information by
tearing, shredding or burning personal and financial
information before throwing it away
-
Store personal and financial documentation
safely
-
Make it difficult for strangers to access
your personal or financial information
-
Keep PIN number safe
-
Pay attention to account cycles
DON’TS
-
Don’t carry unnecessary information in your
wallet or purse
-
Don’t disclose personal information when
asked to do so by e-mail
-
Don’t write down PIN and passwords and avoid
obvious choices like birth dates and first names
-
What if I have been a victim?
-
Report the matter to the South African
Police Service
-
Also remember to report a stolen ID book
immediately, this often paves the way for fraud
-
Alert the South African Fraud Prevention
Services (SAFPS) IMMEDIATELY on 0860 101 248, a unique
service committed to combating fraud that offers you a
way to protect yourself against impersonation and
identity theft
back to top
|
