ID Theft Via Text Messaging

Ever resourceful in continuing to extend the reach of theircriminal activities, the newest threat now comes from textmessaging by identity thieves.This alert to our subscribers is part of our continued scanningof the world's latest fraud developments and represents a majornew identity theft scam technique to use both speed and confusionto compromise consumer safety.Here's what happened.

Identity theft criminals, in Colorado where first reported,send out fake text messages to the cell phones of unsuspectingpotential victims. The messages ask for information about therecipient's debit or credit cards.The text asks people to call a 1-877 number to find out whytheir card was suspended. To reactivate the card, the caller istold to enter in the card number, expiration date and PIN code.By calling the listed phone number and providing the confidentialinformation requested by the fraudulent criminal, the consumeressentially is handing over their bank account access privileges.Armed with that confidential access information, the identity theftfraudster can very quickly clean out the victim's debit account orrun up a massive amount of fraudulent transactions on their creditcard in less than a day.Key note, unlike credit cards, debit cards are directly hot linked toyour bank checking or savings accounts which are much harder torecover lost funds from - especially if you do not catch the criminalactivity within the first week of it happening.

So, our tip for today is to guard well your providing anyconfidential access information to an authorized party viatext messaging. Additionally, unless you have specificallyenrolled in your bank or credit card company's fraudmonitoring alerts service, do not respond to these fakeattempts by identity theft criminals determined to ruinyour financial future.
PS: Tell a friend or associate you know of residing in theDenver, CO area of this important new development inidentity theft to contact their local police departmentimmediately. Finally, make to check back frequentlyfor our free, anonymous tips to help you reduce yourpotential for identity theft