Over the past few days there has been talk over social media about local residents being victims to identity theft. While there was much speculation on how the identity theft occurred, many people reported that their credit card and bank accounts were illegally tapped for transactions at local retail establishments. Several people mentioned retail stores in the Lake Stevens and Snohomish areas, while others pointed out that many other illegal transactions also occurred in other areas of the county and the Puget Sound region.
So how could this happen? Specifics have yet to be released by local law enforcement or the local press. However, here are some likely scenarios of how this can happen with the current technology:
·
Skimmers. This is the likeliest culprit
according to most people on social media. Skimmers have become very popular with
locally based ID thieves. A skimmer is a thin piece of plastic with electronic
circuitry that is inserted in or over the slot that you insert your credit or
debit card into to make a payment. Skimmers have been found at ATM’s, gas
pumps, and terminals at cashier stations in stores (yes, right under the nose
of clerks. If the ID thieves are good, they can insert a skimmer with a clerk
right there.).
·
Someone uses counterfeit credit cards to make transactions.
They can buy the account information, from vendors who have obtained the
information from data breaches, on the “dark web.” They can also buy the equipment
and materials for making the cards on the web. Then they go around to ATM’s,
and retail outlets withdrawing money or making purchases. Victims of the ID
theft can be from anywhere. So, you can get an alert from your bank about a
suspicious transaction that occurred on the Atlantic coast while you have not
traveled 20 miles away from your home in Snohomish County.
·
Someone can make online purchases with the stolen
account information in breaches. This may not always show up as a transaction
from a local store, but it is an easy way for an ID thief to buy something on
your dime.
·
RFID chips. RFID (Radio Frequency
Identification) imbedded in your credit card, driver’s license, or passport
could be read by a reader carried by a passerby.
Preventing Identity Theft is a difficult proposition. Several organizations need to take steps to prevent someone who is not authorized to access your personal information. Banks need to have strong, up to date security measures. Retail outlets, large and small, need to have security measures to protect your information. And you, as an individual, need to take steps to protect your information. If anyone in this chain do not take steps or have weak steps, the system will fail, and ID thieves will gain access to your information.
Here are some things you can do to protect yourself:
·
The most important action you can take is to
closely and frequently monitor your bank card statement and then if you find
any irregularities to promptly notify your bank card provider. This may be your
only defense against ID thieves who have purchased your credit card account information
on the dark web from using it with a counterfeit card or online.
·
Always use a credit card for transactions,
including at the store and online. You have the most protection from fraud with
a credit card. While many institutions who issue debit cards are very good with
returning funds that may have been stolen, you still run the risk of a
fraudster zeroing out the total amount of your debit account. While you may
eventually get it back, you may be stuck without funds until the financial institution
completes its investigation.
·
To guard against skimmers, check the terminal for
any signs of tampering. At a gas station, some people suggest using a pump closest
to the cashier on the theory that an ID thief will more likely add a skimmer to
a pump that is farther away so that they will be less likely to be caught in
the act.
·
To guard against someone reading your RFID chip
you can purchase sleeves and wallets that block radio waves trying to read you
chip.
If you are victimized with ID theft report it. Report it to the issuing credit card institution. Also, if the fraudulent transaction occurred in your local area, report it to your local police.
Krebs on Security (for information on skimmers, breaches, RFID readers):
https://krebsonsecurity.com/
Wikipedia (on RFID):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio-frequency_identification#Security_concerns
Steve Moller
South Snohomish County Crime Watch
Email: snohomishcrimewatch@outlook.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/ssnoccrimewatch
Blog: https://ssnoccrimewatch.blogspot.com/
Crime Mapping for Snohomish County: http://communitycrimemap.com/
You can also report suspicious activity or information about past criminal activity by calling:
The Sheriff’s Tip Line at (425) 388-3845.
Or going to the Sheriff’s Office web page at:
http://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/303/Anonymous-Tips
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