How to Protect Yourself From Identity Theft in Online Casinos
Over the past year, reports of online identity fraud increased dramatically. Perhaps due to restriction being enforced on people’s mobility during the COVID-19 pandemic, more people looked for online entertainment. Some wanted to try their luck and win big during a year when many experienced financial hardship. Unsurprisingly, fraudsters were also quick to adapt to this transition and we soon saw a sharp increase in fraudulent activity. It got so bad that in April 2020, the UK Gambling Commission banned the use of credit cards to help protect online gamblers.
What is Identity Theft?
When an unauthorized person or party, uses personal information like your name, home address, social security number, credit card or bank account information, in order to commit fraud or other crimes with your information, identity theft has occurred.
This can happen if you have been a victim of phishing through fraudulent emails or texts, malwares, data breaches, phone scams, or even being overheard while reading your bank account information out loud over the phone or elsewhere.
What Can Scammers Do With Your Stolen Personal Information?
There are a variety of ways scammers can use your personal information for identity theft scam and account takeover fraud. From small purchases, to putting up your info on dark web for sale, there are many ways the stolen information can make financial gains for the thieves.
Using Your Identity to Commit Crimes
The stolen identity can be used to pass employment, or police criminal background checks, commit tax fraud by filing a tax return in your name to a certain bank account or make illegal purchases through your identity theft.
Obtaining Financing and Loans In Your Name
Credit cards or lines of credit are usually quite easy to open, especially if you have a good credit score. Your information can be used online to access a line of credit and as well as loans from banks or to engage in account takeover fraud.
Outright Stealing Money From Your Credit Card and Bank Account
You can simply notice discrepancies on your bank statement, showing that someone has made purchases from your bank account or credit card. Sometimes they make small purchases that won’t be noticeable over a long period of time.
Tips For Keeping Your Identity Safe in Online Casinos
Online gambling has become one of the fastest growing industries and is heavily regulated in most places. Very quickly, cyber criminals have jumped on this opportunity to steal personal data and identities, with online casinos being a prime target.
Identity theft protection, is now more important than ever. Criminals use a variety of methods to access your personal information, including phishing scams that purposefully look like important messages from online casinos in an attempt to obtain your social security number or other confidential information or engage in account takeover fraud. To protect yourself from identity theft while playing at any of the many online casino games available today there are some steps you can take to decrease your risk.
Play at Trustworthy Online Casinos
First and foremost, play only in online casinos that are licensed. Do your research before entering your bank account information. Make sure you know how your personal information is being used.
Avoid Sharing Your Personal Information With Others
This is a simple one. Never, under any circumstances, share your account and its details with anyone else. If you are in a Poker room, or playing a game where there is a chat option, you may be able to communicate with other users. Whether it’s your nickname, location or even what device you are playing on, scammers can use the information against you.
Use Safe Payment Methods
Where possible, use encrypted deposit method such as cryptocurrencies or e-wallets to create a barrier between your bank information and an online operator and help with account takeover prevention. verify your account information at any time just by calling or visiting the online casino and speaking with a customer service representative. Always ask for a confirmation of your account information or email address to look for anything unusual.
What to Do If You Have Experienced Identity Theft?
You may be wondering, what if someone used my online gambling account? Remember to always report any suspicious activity to the operator immediately to further assist in account takeover prevention. Most online casinos will have a complaint phone number or email address, so that you can contact them directly without involving law enforcement. You can also contact their live support if available and ask for assistance.
To restore your identity theft protection, check your computer for malware, contact your financial institution to place blocks on your accounts, freeze your credit so the fraudulent activity doesn’t impact your credit score any further, report the fraud to your local tax agency, and file a police report.
Conclusion:
With the exponential growth of online casinos and sports betting site, cyber criminals have been quick to catch up and online entertainment sites have become targets of identity theft scams activity. While scammers have a massive arsenal of tools with which they can collect sensitive data, there are ways you can protect yourself and decrease your risk while playing in the many available online casinos.
Many online casinos have protections in place that will help you during the sign-up process. To ensure that your personal information is protected, be sure to pay close attention to all the steps required for each online casino you sign up with. Use secure payment methods such as e-wallets and cryptocurrencies. Finally, never share your login or other personal information with others and only play in licensed and reputable casinos.
About The Author: John Duncan is a web operation executive at CannonBet. Born and raised in the cybersecurity world. He authors guides on cybersecurity and safety and loves sharing the best practices. You can contact the author via email.