Expert: weak economy won't slow identity thieves

Foley also predicted an increase in real estate and credit card scams as thieves lure their victims by promising low-interest home loans or credit cards even if they have low credit scores.

The Associated Press

12/29/2008

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — An expert in preventing identity theft said not to expect criminals to take 2009 off because of the weak economy.

The head of the San Diego, Calif.-based Identity Theft Resource Center warned that the thieves will just use new and more creative scams to steal people's personal information.

Jay Foley told The Press of Atlantic City that some already are doing it by capitalizing on the increased number of people who are out of work and looking for jobs.

In one scam, thieves are offering so-called jobs that turn out to be phony accounting positions that sucker victims into setting up bank accounts for fraudulent checks.

Twenty-year-old Brent Michallis of Tuckerton told the newspaper that he thought he was applying for a job at a post office that turned out to be a company that promised to sell him materials he would need to help prepare for a career in the postal service.

Before Michallis knew it, the company had his credit card numbers and was racking up charges.

Foley also predicted an increase in real estate and credit card scams as thieves lure their victims by promising low-interest home loans or credit cards even if they have low credit scores.

Lyndon Finney of The Trucker staff can be reached for comment at editor@thetrucker.com.