I use the Internet on a daily basis chatting with friends, family, researching information, and playing games. I never considered myself to be at high risk of identity theft, even though I’d been warned about hackers. I was cautious about opening unfamiliar emails and social websites. I assumed I was taking all the necessary steps having software that would protect my computer from viruses, which in return would protect me. I would soon learn what the impact of being a victim of identity theft would be first hand, and how it would affect my job, my means of living, and my outlook on the internet.
To illustrate my experience of being victimized by identity thieves, it all began with a terrifying phone call. The distinct voice of the middle eastern man on the other end implied he was calling from “American Legal Services,” he began to inform me that I needed to pay them for an $18000.00 loan, or they would sue me for theft, and I would go to jail. As the conversation continued his story became erratic. Through the terror and my heart beating rapidly, I started to collect my thoughts and came to the conclusion that his had to be a prank call. I decided it would be best to end the conversation with the hostile man by rudely hanging up. He immediately called back; I answered the call with a defensive shrill voice, “Don’t Call Me Again!” He fired right back yelling my personal information, such as my social security number, internet protocol (IP) address, bank account, place of employment, home address, and my date of birth! Flustered by the argumentative man, I scrambled to hang up my phone. In a panic, I immediately called the police, as well as my bank to make a statement and submitted a security alert on my accounts. I signed up with freecreditreport.com to stay updated on any unauthorized use. I felt satisfied with my actions, ignored all cards from odd numbers, and thought my identity was protected.
Consequently, it was foolhardy to think this was over; the harassing calls became a nuisance, in effect forced me to change my phone number. Shortly after doing so I received a call at work, I immediately recognized the distinctive voice from the man that had been harassing me for weeks. Without thought, I yelled at him, “I know you are bogus, Do not contact me again!” He responded, you are bogus and immediately hung up. I scurried to my manager’s office, trying to avoid any unnecessary attention. I proceeded to tell him my story from the beginning; I could tell he was concerned for me by the alarmed look on his face. He told me to call the police, without hesitation a police officer immediately came to my work to make another report. I told the officer, “I know the man on the phone obtained my information from the internet, because he has my IP address, and I also had found similar stories online from several people receiving harassing phone calls from the same numbers”. The officer told me to continue to keep a record every time the man called, and he proceeded to leave. As I shamefully toddled back to my boss’s office, I could feel my coworker’s eyes watching me. (Thinking to myself, why is this happening, not only at home but now here?) As I entered his office, he was sitting there with a perturbed look on his face; he began to tell me, he had spoken with the individual harassing me. The man told him I was a crook that would be going to jail, and he should not need an employee like me. My manager emoted; he was concerned this was happening to me and that all my calls would be screened. Even though my boss was being empathetic and protective, I still had the unsettled notion of how all this was going to change my place of employment and if it would ever end.
Then finally, my unsettled feelings were confirmed by my biggest fear. As I was being cautious of watching my bank account; there it was an unauthorized online check made out to 1800clickwit.com, which overdrew my account. They took every last penny and then some. I grabbed my phone and started punching in Bank of America’s phone number. I was outraged; that even with the security alert I made months ago, my bank failed to protect my account and charged me over draft fees. Luckily I was able to speak to some that made a claim against 1800clickwit.com and reported it as identity theft. I felt forced to close my accounts and open new ones. I was extremely fortunate and grateful that Bank of America gave me back my money and handled the situation in my favor. As for work I was not so lucky; the calls eventually became too much and I was forced to relocate to another location.
The internet is particularly useful, enjoyable, and it can also be exceedingly dangerous for those unaware of how cyberspace is a digital gold mine for identity thieves, that in return had a life-changing impact on every aspect of my life. Software security and being careful with cyber browsing was not enough to protect me. It is inevitable that thieves will always be on the internet, anyone can be a victim. I’ve learned the importance of being aware of these criminals and what actions to take if this happened again.