Which vital information do scammers steal Online? – e-Why, What & How

The Internet is arguably the biggest invention ever. We all live & breathe Online these days, & it offers countless opportunities for business, communication or personal use. However, despite all the benefits & advantages it offers, the Internet is also a risky place to be especially if you are not very careful. Unscrupulous individuals, Online scammers, are waiting to steal vital private information from unsuspecting individuals.

The US Department of Justice recently revealed that Online identity theft was a leading cause of loss for individuals, ahead of burglary & property theft. Thus, in this context, it is then important that you know which information Online scammers typically target to protect yourself effectively against them.

Social security number (or its equivalent): This is probably the most valuable information any only identity thief will want. Not only can this gives them access to your Online accounts, but your social security number is also enough to open new bank accounts in your name or even access government documents or fill out fraudulent tax returns. In addition to losing money, exposing your social security number can also put you through a whole lot of legal trouble.

Account numbers: Although your accounts numbers are not easily exposed it is one of the most sought after information by identity thieves. This includes numbers to your savings or retirement funds account, or your debit & credit card numbers. With just this number & your password or PIN, criminals can easily steal money from your account. You must keep the PINs to your accounts guarded & protected at all cost. Also, using the same PIN across various account is not recommended. If one of your accounts is breached, all the others, too, will be exposed.

Your debit or credit card expiration dates: If you perform Online transactions frequently, then you should know how vital this piece of information can be to a scamster. With this information, your card can be easily used to make purchases without your permission. Be careful where you input this information, since advanced skimmers can easily steal this information off infected Online terminals. Phone phishing scams also target this information. You might receive a surprise call from your credit card company asking for these details to correct an error. Don’t give it out under any condition.

Your email address: It’s so funny how something so important can seem so trivial. But your email account is like your key to the almost all your rooms on the Internet. Think about how many Websites you have signed up on your email address. All of them will be exposed the moment a scammer gets access to it. Exposing your email address also opens you up to phishing & whaling attacks.

Your date of birth: This is another vulnerability that most people are not aware of because it is so trivial. Most Online service providers ask for this detail as a form of secondary confirmation. This means your date of birth might be the only thing standing between that Online thief & full access to your account. Some government paperwork to your physical financial accounts also asks for this information.

In conclusion:

You should take extra precautions while going about your activities to prevent Online scammers from getting at your private stuff. Much more than the real world. There are criminals on the prowl, always looking to take advantage of any loopholes in your activities on the Internet. Other notable mentions include or driver’s license or any other type of ID number, your phone number & even your full name among other things.

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