Tag: identity theft

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Protect Your Personal Information

Photo: Towfiqu barbhuiya | Unsplash

According to the Federal Trade Commission, a new case of identity theft occurs every 22 seconds, and nearly 33 percent of Americans have faced some type of identity theft attempt. Identity theft occurs when a criminal uses your personal information to commit fraud, typically for financial gain. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to avoid being a victim of identity theft. 

1. Sign up for an identity theft protection service. 

While an identity theft service can’t prevent identity theft, it can promptly alert you to suspicious activity and help you recover any damages. For a monthly fee, these services monitor your credit reports, social media activity, financial accounts, medical information, and more in order to identify suspicious activity. 

2. Use strong passwords. 

Choose strong passwords that are difficult to guess, change your passwords often, and resist the urge to assign the same password to every account. That way, if one account is hacked, other accounts are still protected. Also, while it may seem obvious, don’t keep a list of passwords in an unsecured location. 

3. Enable multifactor authentication. 

Multifactor authentication offers an extra layer of password security. It requires that you provide another piece of data to gain access to your account, in addition to your password. For example, your bank may send a PIN via text to your phone number on file. Whenever possible, enroll in multifactor authentication. That way, even if someone learns your password, he/she won’t be able to access your account. 

4. Monitor your accounts. 

One of the best ways to quickly identify fraudulent transactions is by consistently monitoring your accounts. At least twice a week, log into your various accounts to review recent transactions. Also, consider establishing banking alerts to notify you of any unauthorized or suspicious activity. 

5. Protect your mail. 

It’s not just your online data that’s at risk. Hard copy documents also contain valuable personal data that can be used by fraudsters. That’s why it’s important to promptly pick up your mail and shred all statements and documents before putting them in the trash. 

6. Review your credit reports. 

Each of the major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) allows consumers to access one free report a year. Take advantage of this opportunity to check your credit reports and make sure there are no surprises or errors.

7. Maintain security software. 

Your internet-enabled devices should be equipped with strong, updated security software that regularly checks for suspicious and harmful activity. Make sure your software includes firewalls, anti-virus protection, and intrusion detection. Never connect to the internet without strong security software in place. 

8. Keep your operating system and software up to date. 

Software and operating system updates often include security fixes, which is why it’s important to enable automatic updates on all devices. You should also be using a well-respected internet browser, such as Chrome or Firefox, as they’re more likely to be regularly updated with the latest security protections. 

9. Never click on suspicious emails. 

If you receive an email that looks suspicious, it probably is. Resist the urge to click any links, and never provide personal information over email. 

If you receive an email regarding your finances that appears to be from a financial institution, the IRS or another reputable organization, call the toll-free number of that institution (the one listed on the company’s website, not a phone number in the suspicious email) to verify the email’s authenticity before you provide any information.  

10. Fully wipe old electronics. 

Even if you delete files from old computers, they can still be recovered by tech-savvy fraudsters. Before donating old electronics, use an overwriting software to fully wipe all personal data. 

Gene Gard, CFA, CFP, CFT-I, is a Partner and Private Wealth Manager with Creative Planning. Creative Planning is one of the nation’s largest Registered Investment Advisory firms providing comprehensive wealth management services to ensure all elements of a client’s financial life are working together, including investments, taxes, estate planning, and risk management. For more information or to request a free, no-obligation consultation, visit CreativePlanning.com.

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‘Father of Identity Theft’ Sentenced to 17 Years for Identity Theft

CREDIT: U.S. Attorney Michael Dunavant's office

U.S. Attorney Michael Dunavant’s office

James Jackson’s business card, discovered at his mother’s home, proclaims him to be the ‘Father of Identity Theft.’

The “Father of Identity Theft” was sentenced to more than 17 years in federal prison Thursday after his conviction for identity theft last October.

At that time, a federal jury found James Jackson, 58, guilty of 13 counts of mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, access device fraud, and theft of mail, according to U.S. Attorney Michael Dunavant.

A week-long jury trial outlined Jackson’s efforts in 2014 and 2015 to steal the identities of victims — most of them dead — and steal money from banks, financial companies, and individuals.

Jackson would scour online obituaries and news articles to find people who had recently passed away. He’d then use that information to impersonate the victim and convince banks and other companies to send him new debit and credit cards, according to Dunavant.

Jackson had recruited another person to withdraw funds from the victim accounts and to purchase gift cards. In one instance, Jackson’s scheme caused the sale of $340,000 from one victim’s stock account.

Jackson’s scheme began to unravel in February 2015 when he called the Cordova Post Office claiming to be Charles Fulks. He was inquiring about a credit card package that should have been delivered that day to 10022 Cameron Ridge Trail.

But United States Postal Inspectors and members of the Tennessee Highway Patrol Identity Crimes Unit knew this was the work of an imposter. They discovered Fulks died before the call came in to the post office. Also, they discovered the address was a vacant house at the time.

Agents watched the vacant house and after 12 hours they saw Jackson walk across the street to get the credit card package from the mailbox and walk back to his house. They later saw smoke coming out of Jackson’s home.

No one answered the door when the agents announced their presence. Once inside, they found that several small fires had been set around the house “in what appeared to be an attempt to destroy evidence,” according to officials. They also discovered Jackson “pretending to be asleep.”

A search of Jackson’s home yielded a guide entitled “How to Find Anyone and Anything.” A look through Jackson’s computers found searches of obituaries and news articles of the recently deceased.

In a search of Jackson’s mother’s home, agents found a box of Jackson’s business cards. On them, Jackson claimed to be the “Father of Identity Theft,” “Member of World Positive Thinker’s Club,” and “identity theft expert.” The card also supposed Jackson to be the owner of a company called ”One You Security,” with the slogan “because there should only be one you.”

In August 2018, Jackson was arrested again in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was attempting to purchase a $43,000 Corvette using the name and personal information of a recently deceased person.

After a jury convicted him last year, Jackson faced up to 30 years in prison. On Wednesday, he received a sentence of 17.25 years and five years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay more than $300,000 in restitution.

“This self-proclaimed ‘Father of Identity Theft’ will now have to change his name to ‘Father Time,’ because he will be doing plenty of it in federal prison,” said Dunavant.

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“Father of Identity Theft” Convicted of Identity Theft

CREDIT: U.S. Attorney Michael Dunavant's office

U.S. Attorney Michael Dunavant’s office

James Jackson’s business card, discovered at his mother’s home, proclaim’s him to be the ‘Father of Identity Theft.’

His business cards proclaimed him to be the “Father of Identity Theft” and it was identity theft that, ultimately, earned a Memphis man convictions on a raft of federal charges Tuesday.

A federal jury found James Jackson, 58, guilty of 13 counts of mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, access device fraud, and theft of mail, according to U.S. Attorney Michael Dunavant.

A week-long jury trial here outlined Jackson’s moves in 2014 and 2015 to steal the identities of victims — most of them dead — and steal money from banks, financial companies, and individuals.

Jackson would scour online obituaries and news articles to find those who had recently passed away. He’d then find out if they had any credit cards or investment accounts.
[pullquote-1] He’d then use that information to impersonate the victim. He’d then convince banks and other companies to send him new debit and credit cards, according to Dunavant. Jackson had recruited another person to withdraw funds from the victim accounts and to purchase gift cards. In one instance, Jackson’s scheme caused the sale of $340,000 from one victim’s stock account.

Jackson’s scheme began to unravel in February 2015 when he called the Cordova Post Office claiming to be Charles Fulks. He was inquiring about a credit card package that should have been delivered that day to 10022 Cameron Ridge Trail.

But United States Postal Inspectors and members of the Tennessee Highway Patrol Identity Crimes Unit knew this was the work of an imposter. They discovered Fulks died before the call came in to the post office. Also, the they discovered the address was a vacant house at the time.
[pullquote-2] Agents watched the vacant house and after 12 hours they watched Jackson walk across the street to get the credit card package from the mailbox and walk back to his house.

They later saw smoke coming out of Jackson’s home. No one answered the door when the agents announced their presence. Once inside, they found that several small fires had been set around the house “in what appeared to be an attempt to destroy evidence,” according to officials. They also discovered Jackson “pretending to be asleep.”

A search of Jackson’s home yielded a guide entitled “How to Find Anyone and Anything.” A look through Jackson’s computers found searches of obituaries and news articles of the recently deceased.

In a search of Jackson’s mother’s home, agents found a box of Jackson’s business cards. On them, Jackson claimed to be the “Father of Identity Theft,” “Member of World Positive Thinker’s Club,” and “identity theft expert.” The card also supposed Jackson to be the owner of a company called ”One You Security,” with the slogan “because there should only be one you.”
[pullquote-3] Jackson faces up to 30 years in prison. The sentence is based on his convictions here and prior convictions for mail fraud, credit card fraud, and bank fraud from the Southern District of New York, and mail fraud, credit card fraud, and Social Security fraud from the Western District of Tennessee.

Jackson’s sentencing hearing is set for December 13th, 2019, before U.S. District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr.

“Aggravated identity theft and schemes to defraud or compromise the personal and financial security of vulnerable and deceased victims will not be tolerated,” Dunavant said in a statement. “This case demonstrates our commitment to protect the personal and financial information of citizens and institutions, and to hold offenders accountable for these disturbing crimes of dishonesty.

“We are pleased to work with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to achieve justice for the victims in this case.”