Identity theft through home computer

[Andrew07]

So my girlfriend's family has been experiencing identity theft, and we're just about positive it's happening through their computer. They have a PC and the standard SBC Yahoo DSL setup. I've tried installing a new firewall and virus checker, but since they've had the computer about 3/4 years now, my girlfriend and her 11 year old brother have accumulated a lot of shit (downloading songs through limewire, clicking on internet popups, other stupid stuff etc). They don't have any of the original Windows installation stuff, so they can't do a clean erase and install.

The latest episode of identity theft happened today. I've told them not to use their credit cards on the house computer and use my g/f's laptop, but I dunno why the hell they keep doing it. They booked some cabin reservations thursday night and when we went out to breakfast today, there was a block on their card.

What should they do? Whoever is doing the identity theft, they have some sort of really clear and easy way to access their computer. Is it their computer? Their internet? What? Is an IP address part of the computer or the internet device/number? This has happened probably a dozen or more times over the period of two years. Would appreciate your guys help!

[heathen]

I've heard mostly it's from people going through your garbage or paper recycling bin, you should destroy any financial/personal documents before putting them in the bin.

Or skimming is another big one, where you purchase at a legitimate shop and the employees run your card through a second device which records all the info off the magnetic strip. Which they then make a new card from. They should try to remember anything like that from shop visits also. Always watch anyone like a hawk who has your card in thier hand. It takes less than a second to record details.

Also with computers I'd say keyloggers are the biggest threat, phishing a close second if you fall for it.

I think they should start doing things away from the computer until it's sorted out. Just buy another copy of windows. A new copy or thousands in losses, simple choice really.

[Master Tang]

Start with this. STOP USING A CREDIT CARD ON THE NET. (at least for now anyway). And get ahold of the company, change card numbers, and all PINS, and check all recent charges. If they also did any on line banking cheack all applicable accounts.

Then for the computer, try this,


Simply Super Software - Trojan Remover


It's fully functional for free for 30 days. Worked wonders for me removing all kinds of accumulated stuff, including the aforementioned keyloggers. Those are the bad ones.

And then maybe have the internet company kill the account, and get an entirely new ISP addy. Reinstall the firewall before you connect to the net again. THEN, it's all preventative. Don't use credit cards in the open, use paypal, or something of the sort. NEVER store credit card numbers in any form on the computer. For browsing, use FireFox instead of IE. If you have to use IE, update it. There's a lot of security flaws in the old version.

Sounds like it's not full blown identity theft, but someone with the numbers to use current accounts. Just in case do a credit check. There's several free options. Can't ever be too safe in a situation like this.

Hope it all works out for you.

[Vandergraf]

I've been through this. Twice. The first time a guy in Nigeria used software that generated credit card numbers. By one chance in a million, he came up with my bank account ATM number. He ordered about $2000 worth of audio gear (ironically!) but since he didn't have the name or address correct, it was flagged and they called me.

The next time I got a call from some online computer company wanting to verify my order for about $3000 worth of computer gear. This time, the guy that ordered the stuff actually gave them my correct phone number, probably thinking they wouldn't call. They did, and the order was canceled, along with my ATM card. This one was probably someone at a company I did business with skimming personal IDs.

In your case, I would re-format my hard disk(s) and start over, as well as, cancel your ATM card.

Your friends need to stop downloading crap.
Lots of evil stuff floating around out there!

Van