Identity Theft Comes in Many Forms

Thieves use stolen credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, and driver's license numbers to open checking and credit accounts, and apply for loans, pay bills, and charge items over the phone or the Internet. Prosecution requires identification of the suspect, which is virtually impossible in these types of cases. The Social Security Administration reported that complaints about misuse of SSNs increased nearly four times in two years.

Manufacturing Counterfeit Checks
Checks can be made on computers with programs such as Versa Check, by copying routing numbers off valid checks. Many of these checks look like they are legitimate and could have been issued by businesses as payroll checks.
Counterfeit Money, Cashier's Checks, Money Orders, and Traveler's Checks
There has been an increase in the production of counterfeit money, cashier's checks, money orders, and traveler's checks. These are also being generated by computers. Computer hardware is so inexpensive that anyone can get into the "business" with an investment of $1,000 or less.
Internet Scam
People often make arrangements to purchase items over the Internet through e-Bay, Craig's List, or other means. They will send a check to the seller for an amount of hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the agreed upon price. The receiver of the check then contacts the person who sent the check. The receiver is then told the amount was made out “by mistake.” They are instructed to go ahead and deposit the check that was sent “by mistake.” The check receiver then is supposed to send another check to the original sender for the difference.

The problem with this scheme is the check is usually counterfeit. Victims are also disappointed when they learn local police often have no jurisdiction and no way to prove who perpetrated these scams. While this practice is common in this country, many Internet scams of this nature also originate from other countries, of particular note here, be wary of checks coming from Mexico, Russia, and Japan.
Construction Fraud / Theft by Swindle
Occasionally people will be approached by unscrupulous contractors who will offer to replace siding on their homes or do some kind of home repair work. They will require large deposits before the work begins. They may start the project, if they do much work at all, and then are not seen again. Victims have been left not only with an unrefunded deposit, but substandard work for which they need to hire another contractor to fix.
Telltale Signs of Construction Fraud

• Contractor / swindler solicits victim instead of victim calling or finding contractor in the Yellow Pages.
• The swindler is not licensed to do any of the home improvements in your State.. 
• The swindler frequently has a “record” with the your States Department of Labor and Industry. 
• The swindler wants cash up front, usually a very large percentage of the quoted price or the total cost of the job.
• The quoted price for the labor and materials is too low.
• The workmanship is obviously shoddy. Or there is no work first without the demand for immediate payment of 'half down' and no work is performed at all.
• The swindler may demolish large sections of the victim’s home, leaving debris everywhere and not returning.  This is done to coerce the victim into paying more money so the swindler will return and fix the home.
• The swindler will never be able to fix the home because they are unlicensed, are unqualified to be licensed, or is unable to obtain a building permit.
• Often the swindler sounds like they knows what they are talking about because they may be employed by a construction company as an estimator or other work-related experience.  However, they are not trained or licensed for trade work. 

Prevention
I highly recommend that if you are interested in having home repair work done on your home, get three estimates from licensed contractors before making a decision on who should do your project.  You can find out if a building or remodeling contractor is licensed by calling the Better Business Bureau.

What You Can Do to Protect Yourself & Your Family From Being Victimized

• Protect your checks and credit cards. They are more valuable than cash to criminals. As they provide access to both your cash and your identity for exploitation.
• Don't put your driver's license number on your checks. This makes it easy to get a false ID made. A thumb print is the best mode of identification/signature on a check, a thumb print is almost never reproduced by a thief as it is nearly impossible. And a thief doesn't want to reveal his identity by placing his own thumb print on a check for verification purposes!
• Keep all credit card receipts safe. Many criminals use numbers off of receipts to defraud. If you have to get rid of them, burn them don't throw them in the garbage. 90% of ID Thefts occur by 'dumpster diving.' There is no whims about going through your garbage can, looking for clues as to your ID, that can be exploited by a ID thief.
• Don't leave wallets, purses, or checks in a car. If you have no choice, Lock them securely in the trunk portion of your car, or place them out of site from the passer-byes line of sight.
• Shred credit card offers you get in the mail. Thieves steal mail and garbage to get these offers. Never give your card number out to someone calling you. Make charges only when you call a company over the phone. Credit card fraud investigators will never call and ask for your number and expiration date. Neither will the issuing Bank, why would they as that information is already in their files.

-Birdy

Remember: Caution and Suspicion are good things.