As rates of cybercrime rise, identity thieves are becoming more sophisticated to escape detection. A recent article in the Sacramento Bee highlights a few of the ways cybercrime methods have evolved. One new way thieves are getting away with personal information targets those filling up their gas tank. In Los Angeles, a man has been charged with 42 counts of identity theft, after allegedly installing a device on gas station pumps that allowed him to steal the numbers from credit and debit cards that were swiped for payments on that machine. Prosecutors think he got away with at least $160,000 through more than 200 separate transactions on the rigged machine.
Another scam, which California’s Franchise Tax Board has recently been warning consumers about, involves fake emails to taxpayers. These emails claim that the recipient’s online payment of taxes was unsuccessful. When the victims clicked on a link within the email, the scammers stole their personal information.
It’s more important than ever to take steps to protect yourself from these sophisticated attacks. Consider an identity protection service that scans public databases as well as your credit report.
