ID Theft Via Text Messaging

Ever resourceful in continuing to extend the reach of their criminal activities, the newest threat now comes from text messaging by identity thieves. This alert to our subscribers is part of our continued scanning of the world's latest fraud developments and represents a major new identity theft scam technique to use both speed and confusion to 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 unsuspecting potential victims. The messages ask for information about the recipient's debit or credit cards. The text asks people to call a 1-877 number to find out why their card was suspended. To reactivate the card, the caller is told to enter in the card number, expiration date and PIN code. By calling the listed phone number and providing the confidential information requested by the fraudulent criminal, the consumer essentially is handing over their bank account access privileges. Armed with that confidential access information, the identity theft fraudster can very quickly clean out the victim's debit account or run up a massive amount of fraudulent transactions on their credit card in less than a day. Key note, unlike credit cards, debit cards are directly hot linked to your bank checking or savings accounts which are much harder to recover lost funds from - especially if you do not catch the criminal activity within the first week of it happening. So, our tip for today is to guard well your providing any confidential access information to an authorized party via text messaging. Additionally, unless you have specifically enrolled in your bank or credit card company's fraud monitoring alerts service, do not respond to these fake attempts by identity theft criminals determined to ruin your financial future. PS: Tell a friend or associate you know of residing in the Denver, CO area of this important new development in identity theft to contact their local police department immediately. Finally, make to check back frequently for our free, anonymous tips to help you reduce your potential for identity theft . This article may be published in it's entirety on your site. Article courtesy of

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ID Theft Via Text Messaging is an episode from Identity Theft Secrets.

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This episode was published on Mar 1, 2009.

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