What is iJacking?
iJacking is another name for identity theft and is increasing an alarming rate in the United States. The Federal Trade Commission, in 2005, received over 250,000 complaints of identity theft. This represents an 18.7% increase from 2003 in the number of complaints received. New reports of sensitive personal information being stolen or lost are coming in almost every day. Identity theft not only ruins a victim’s credit and quite possible draining their bank accounts, but it also leaves them emotionally devastated as they work to restore their good name. This is a process that can take many years to accomplish. It also leaves them wondering how this could have happened to them, what they could have done to prevent it, and it can also cost them more money if they have to take days off from work to clear their names and restore their credit.
Here is a list of ten cities that are the most at risk for iJacking:
- San Francisco
- Seattle
- Denver
- San Jose
- San Diego
- Atlanta
- Salt Lake City
- Las Vegas
- Sacramento
- Phoenix
Here is a list of ten cities that are the least at risk for iJacking:
- Rochester
- Providence
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Virginia Beach
- New Orleans
- Birmingham
- Louisville
- Buffalo
- Pittsburg
The cities that are listed as the most at risk for iJacking was chosen based on these facts; most of the people in these cities are wealthy, prone to a fast-paced lifestyle that consists of high usage of credit cards and ATM use and daily internet use.
Even if you do not live in the high risk, or even low risk, cities, this does not mean that it cannot happen in smaller cities and towns. Identity theft can happen anywhere to anyone. Everyone just needs to be careful how you get rid of papers and documents with your personal information on them. Buy a paper shredder and shred those papers because if you just throw them in the trash, there is an identity thief just waiting to go through your trash to get that personal information.
Make sure that when you use the ATM, that there is no one looking over your shoulder and when you pay with a credit card, do not let it out of your sight. Using these few simple things may help you from becoming a victim of identity theft.