Lately, cases of identity theft have increased. Theft of papers, payments on the internet and the explosion of social networks make it easier violations of privacy and even identity theft. Reflections on a practice increasingly common.
• What is meant by "identity theft"?
It is the act of using, without your consent, information that could identify you. It is of course your name, but also your postal and email addresses, your photographs, your bank details ... Impersonation allows the author to perform acts, and often offenses, without your knowledge and your name: credit contraction, scams social benefits, cash withdrawals over the counter at a bank with a fake ID ... To fight against this scourge, the offense of impersonation was created last year: he is punished with a year's imprisonment and a fine of € 15,000 (Article 226-4-1 of the Criminal Code).
• How do we notice it?
This is because they combine the surprises that the victims eventually realize: overdrafts incomprehensible receiving unjustified invoices or tickets, responses to ads ever spent on websites ... So, Blandine following the theft of her purse, in 2009, began receiving tickets from the SNCF journeys she had not made. Or the very efficient Romain, who saw his card blocked ... These two people have learned that they were then debit accounts they did not open!
• What are the techniques used by scammers?
The good old recipes are still in use: the crook steals your wallet or retrieves haul your trash or your mailbox. He can then use your ID or your name. On the Internet, "phishing" or "phishing" is now well known: you receive an email coating all the appearances of an official body or a bank asking you to confirm your details (personal and financial). Thus, for two or three years of fraudulent e-mails ( see our articles ) appear to come from tax services invite taxpayers to submit their credit card number to get a tax refund. Nothing is easier for fraudsters then use card numbers and diverted. Another risk to the user of social networks: see demolish his reputation by a usurper who has created a fake profile or fake written comments on Facebook.
• How to protect yourself?
Impossible to protect completely the risk of identity theft. But there are some simple precautions : lock your mailbox and do check your mail when you travel, tear all documents that could identify you (credit card tickets, invoices, photocopying Vitale ...) before discarding ... On the Internet, avoid passwords that are too simple (mix numbers and letters) and change them regularly. Do not check the box authorizing the use of your data when you make an order (or, conversely, select the banning). And, of course, secure your WiFi connection.
• What to do if you are the victim of identity theft?
The first thing to do is file a complaint with the police or the police in your home. These services transmit to the prosecutor. You can also complain directly to it by sending a simple e High Court of the place of the offense. Secondly, if you found that personal information is used without your consent on a website, please contact responsible for this site by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt to require their deletion. In the absence of response, complain to the CNIL. And contact with victims' associations, where you will find legal and psychological support. Call your insurer if you purchased a legal right under your home insurance civil liability insurance or guaranteeing specific hazards Internet ( eg, the Family Protection contract the integr @ Axa).
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