about identity theft. i just don't understand how people get away with it. say someone opened a credit account using someone else's info and made a bunch of purchases online with it...wouldn't they just get caught by the shipping address?
2006-10-14 09:06:11 · 11 answers · asked by practicalwizard 6 in Business & Finance ➔ Credit
we're arguing over whether or not people can really get away with this. i say no. eventually, someone will catch up with you. my friend doesn't seem to think that happens often.
2006-10-14 09:12:33 · update #1
alot of the time they will use a false shipping address. Or they will have the shipping address as multiple aliases. Besides that mst of the time the stolen ID is used for quick instant grad stuff so a mailing addy in not needed.
It's really sad how it happens but what's sadder is how hard the credit report companies make it for you to fix your life when you are the victim.
2006-10-14 09:11:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Identity theft is growing everyday. In some restaurants waiters have been caught copying credit card numbers with sophisticated copiers that look like credit card machines. Store clerks caught with a hidden camera. The best way to protect yourself is to not sign the back of the credit card. Instead put "ASK FOR ID"
People who open credit card accounts using people's id's are going to get caught especially when the bills don't get paid. The credit card company will do a credit check to see where that person lives. Credit reports report every address a person has lived within the last 10 years and sometimes phone numbers. This is how people get caught. Credit card companies are becoming more aggressive in catching these thieves. Some of these people charge 1000's of dollars to a credit card and destroy peoples lives. Most of these identy thieves are professional. The ones who just do it for the thrill get caught faster. Watch 20/20, 60 minutes, or Geraldo when they show you how people get caught.
2006-10-14 22:02:53 · answer #2 · answered by steve s 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They could get caught but many times the credit card company declines to press charges for anything less than a certain dollar amount.
Someone once lifted my credit card number and used it to pay their cell phone bill and for an airline ticket. Amazingly enough, nothing happened to them. From personal experience, I would say your friend is right.
The cost of all the theft gets passed back on to the consumer through higher card fees and higher finance charges, so in the end the credit card companies don't really lose anything ... but the consumer sure does.
2006-10-14 16:15:21 · answer #3 · answered by BoomChikkaBoom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
anything u do against the law will eventually catch up with u. but u will be amazed how many people get away with using someone else credit card over the internet.
2006-10-14 16:29:14 · answer #4 · answered by keedy8300 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If someone opens a credit account using your identity they can still open it with their address.
2006-10-14 16:14:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. That is the obvious. But what happens most times is that cops don't investigate and neither do credit card companies. It is up to you to bring in all the evidence and act as a private investigator.
2006-10-14 16:11:05 · answer #6 · answered by hp one 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Usually the person who had their identity stolen knows the person who used their information. Like all crimes many get caught but some do not. You are more like likely to be caught if you repeatedly do the crime.
2006-10-18 09:47:26 · answer #7 · answered by Shred Guy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My cousin had her identity stolen.
The thieves shipped everything to a Mailboxes Plus type place, which does not ask for ID.
2006-10-14 17:19:26 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just go to the persons house and get physical..
2006-10-14 16:19:59 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
sounds right to me. what does your friend think?
2006-10-14 16:08:46 · answer #10 · answered by Cutie 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋