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There’s a new victim of identity theft every 5 seconds, and thieves have evolved well beyond stolen credit cards. These days, even the most outlandish fraud stories are uncomfortably plausible, from fake driver’s licenses and luxury car purchases to entire criminal empires built on stolen identities. Whether an individual story is fact or fiction matters less than this reality: No one does more to protect your identity than LifeLock.
In the latest episode of “Generation Money,” Wall Street veterans Dan Nathan and Guy Adami, along with their guest Laura Pelligra, explore outlandish examples of identity theft through engaging anecdotes and an interactive game: “Fraud or Fiction.”
The game tests Pelligra’s ability to distinguish between real identity theft cases and fictional ones, but the exercise does more than just entertain. It reveals just how creative modern identity thieves have become.
Consider the following scenarios and decide for yourself which identity theft story is true fraud, and which is fiction:
Jessica’s parking ticket
Jessica was summoned to her state’s Supreme Court, all over a parking ticket that was left unpaid. Turns out, identity thieves had used Jessica’s details to buy a car in a state she’d never even set foot in. Despite submitting proof to clear her name, the lower courts wouldn’t dismiss her case.
David’s repo men
David woke up to find all his bank accounts frozen after being flagged for suspected fraud at a luxury car dealership. A repossession company was knocking at his door, looking for a missing Mercedes that he’d never purchased — but someone using his stolen identity did.
This isn’t the most unbelievable round in the “Fraud or Fiction” game, and both situations seem entirely plausible. But just because a story about identity theft isn’t 100% real doesn’t mean it couldn’t happen.
Watch the episode for yourself to check the answer* and hear more identity theft stories that range from a stolen trucking license to a complicated insurance scam. While you watch, see if you can spot the tactics fraudsters use to steal personally identifiable information from everyday people to commit sophisticated crimes.
The unsettling truth is that all the scenarios discussed in the podcast are based on actual identity theft tactics. Seemingly outlandish fraud stories are rooted in reality, and identity thieves are becoming more creative. But, there’s good news, too. LifeLock can help restore your identity should you fall victim.
LifeLock Ultimate Plus offers up to $3 million in coverage per individual signed up to the plan. There’s no limit to the number of cases you can open per year, and no out of pocket expenses for legal or expert support. Plus, we’re so sure of the quality of our restoration support that we offer a 100% guarantee. If we fail to get your identity back in good standing after you become a victim, you’ll get your money back.
Prevention is the best medicine, and doing what you can to protect your personal information online is the first dose. Follow these tips to help prevent identity theft and keep your identity safer:
With identity criminals growing more sophisticated each day, comprehensive protection ensures you’re prepared for digital threats, both real and seemingly fictional. Sign up for LifeLock Ultimate Plus today to gain access to $3 million in restoration coverage and unlimited expert assistance.
Don’t wait for the nightmare of identity theft to become a reality; get LifeLock Ultimate Plus today.
*Jessica’s parking ticket story is true. But all the fictional identity theft scenarios in this article, and those represented in the linked “Generation Money” podcast episode, are based in reality.
Editor’s note: Our articles provide educational information. LifeLock offerings may not cover or protect against every type of crime, fraud, or threat we write about.
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