Why Europeans are Less Susceptible to Identity Theft
We here in America have a lot about which to be proud when it comes to our record with Europe.
We liberated Vichy France from the evils of German Fascism.
We beat England in our war for independence.
We make far better cars than Italy (with the possible exclusion of the Ferrari, that is).
So, where, you ask, do they beat us?
Simple: Identity theft. Europeans generally have lower rates of identity theft. As a matter of fact, it’s hard obtaining numbers on how many of them have been victimized as it comprises such a small percentage of the population there. Here are some thoughts on why that may be:
First, social security numbers are used for purposes of obtaining and cashing retirement benefit checks; that’s all. They’re not used as universal forms of identification. If a criminal obtains this one number, usually a quick phone call, fax or e-mail on the part of the victim asking for a prompt cessation pending investigation will clear things up.
Second, data tends not to be accessible in the same way or to the same degree there as it is here. According to identity theft expert Bob Sullivan, author of Your Evil Twin: Behind the Identity Theft Epidemic, “European Union privacy directives restrict data aggregation of public records, even of stuff we take for granted over here.” In America, companies are free to research and put into one place all the information they can find about a given person: former street addresses, maiden names, land and mobile telephone numbers and more. For a small fee, of course, an identity thief can have his way with such a treasure trove of information.
Third, unlike in Europe, American companies can gain easy access to various credit score companies and obtain information you may consider to be deeply personal and private, such as whether you’ve been paying off that Discover bill on time and with more than the minimum amount required. Mostly it’s for purposes of seeing how attentive you’ve been about satisfying your debts (the thinking is the more responsible you are personally the more responsible you’re likely to be professionally). While it may sound logical, particularly from the potential employer’s perspective, many times it can lead to problems. Having that information readily available to well-intentioned people also means having it readily available to conniving people.
Fourth, and this one is probably the single largest contributing factor, use of credit cards is far less prominent in Europe than in America. Most people use cash or Debit cards there. If a perpetrator does, in fact, get a hold of your bank card, the damage he can do is limited by the amount you have sitting in the bank. Moreover, banks usually credit back the amount stolen in short order once a breach has been established. If, on the other hand, a thief gets his hands on your credit cards, not only can he use those to the maximum but he can also use the information on each one to create multiple new accounts in your name. The process by which he obtains the information is called “skimming” and takes only a short while with some easily obtainable machinery. As many identity theft victims already know, the damage that can be done once new accounts are opened in your name is far greater and takes far longer to rectify.
Since it’s highly unlikely Americans will be willing to unilaterally cut off or even reduce their use of credit cards or convince Congress immediately of the merits of limiting usage of Social Security Numbers or limiting who can obtain an individual’s information, prevention still remains the best bet. Checking on one’s score periodically, remaining vigilant of any suspect charges or withdrawals and investing in credit monitoring services is prudent. Services such as ID Secure (see www.identitytheft.com/idsecure for more information) also provide much peace of mind. They detect the worst types of identity fraud and prevent unauthorized accounts from being opened in your name.
Comments
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I think it is essential in providing more biometrics in the next stage of credit cards. Pictures on the card that must be taken at a secure location would greatly reduce identity theft. It would also probably end pre-approved credit cards, so the impetuous for this must come from the government.
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Identity theft is a serious thing - Europeans know their thing. Americans are too casual with this serious topic. Lets hope that it wont grow too big of an issue in USA.
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This only their education as well as sharpness of mind that enables them to use their merchant account carefully whether they are buying a car or making an online payment for their dedicated server plan.
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Thanks for the good article. Also you can read this http://www.financialrecourse.net/do-you-know-the-identity-theft.html
thanks for this good article also you can read this: http://www.financialrecourse.net/do-you-know-the-identity-theft.html
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It is an entitlement because people are getting back more than they put into it. I believe it is robbing the younger people in the work force because they are paying the tax if they are working and if they are not working then the older people are stealing their place in the work force. The system is abused by to many and the ones that really need it are not able to get it.
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I totally agree with you. In Europe we have indeed a lower rate of identity theft. I think thats a result of security with data.
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Most criminals use other person's personal information to make a transaction with other people. That's the most dangerous scenario on identity theft.
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Very interesting post. if there are may ways to identify the theft why cant they do that. as there are minimal population.
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Very interesting post. if there are may ways to identify the theft why cant they do that. as there are minimal population.
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Spoonjab you are right. Even with paypal, if they get the actual cash its gone (if you use ach transfer) but if you use a credit card they can charge back the amount lost. games
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Its true sarah. i really dont know why only usa people are affected by such identity thieves. are they only more interacting with internet .
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One in four of us will be victims of Identity Theft over the next five years.
The average total cost per victim is almost $17,000 and 600 hours.
There are six different types of Identity Theft.
There are Federal and State Laws which govern information security.
What are you, your company, and your co-workers doing to protect yourselves and comply with these laws?
Being in business for over 30 years and a BBB rating of an A+, you can be assured that you have the right IDT protection! $13.95 a month includes all minors in the household. Most cases need an attorney so I suggest the $17 Prepaid Legal membership. No long term contracts.
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Pre-Paid Legal Services, INC.
http://www.prepaidlegal.com/hub/stanley92
One in four of us will be victims of Identity Theft over the next five years.
The average total cost per victim is almost $17,000 and 600 hours.
There are six different types of Identity Theft.
There are Federal and State Laws which govern information security.
What are you, your company, and your co-workers doing to protect yourselves and comply with these laws?
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The move in America for private organizations to ask for social security numbers needs to stop. I can't tell you how many times someone asks me to fill out a form with my SS number, I ask if it's necessary, and then they tell me "no." If it's not necessary, then why contribute to the identity theft problem?
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The US's lack of security and using a very outdated system for means of identification (i.e. SSN) are why identity theft rates are higher. There is little motivation to change since there is an economy supporting it (e.g. credit monitoring services)
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Identity Theft is more than just financial theft. There are 4 other areas that are just as important. Medical identity theft can be deadly. Imagine going to the hospital and being treated for something that you don't have because someone had stolen your medical insurance information. Driver's license theft, if in wreckless hands, can result in a warrent for your arrest. This happened to a friend of mine. Resume / character identity theft is used to obtain jobs. The final, or fifth, area is SSN. In this country, with a couple more pieces of information, you can do anything with an SSN. Credit card companies and banks cannot restore your identity nor do they even address the other 4 areas. For more information or to check out a service with full restoration services check out: http:/www.prepaidlegal.com/idt/finleyp.
Spoonjab you are right. Even with paypal, if they get the actual cash its gone (if you use ach transfer) but if you use a credit card they can charge back the amount lost. I never worry about my credit cards even though I have had several numbers comprised in the past. You just call the merchant and they charge it back.
Here are a couple of good ways I found to protect against identity theft.
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I'm more worried about bank account theft than credit cards. Credit card companies just chargeback the merchants. If they get your cash, its gone.
While it may sound logical, particularly from the potential employer's perspective, many times it can lead to problems.Having that information readily available to well-intentioned people also means having it readily available to conniving people..Mississauga Condominiums
This may simply be due to the fact that if you are going to steal an identity, you want to steal it from the richest person you can, and the USA has more money than anyone! US dollar = King!
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