Credit Card/Identity Theft in Kenya

One of our readers, a local security consultant, noticed a disturbing trend in Kenya concerning the way many businesses are handling credit card transactions and provided some valuable information and tips to help protect you from credit or identity theft.
Statistics in the United States from the Federal Trade Commission reported that 1 in 6 Americans would become a victim of identity theft in 2008. Criminal identity theft occurs when an imposter gives another person's name and personal information such as a drivers' license, date of birth, or National ID to obtain a job, housing, money, goods, or other services. Or the imposter may present to a counterfeit license or form of ID containing another person's data.

So how to do we prevent this from happening to us? First every household needs a shredder and our reader recommends the cross cut type. Dumpster diving, going through the rubbish for information, is an old method but still the number one way criminals get our information. Our reader noted that many of the businesses in Kenya are still printing our full credit card numbers on receipts. If you forget to take a receipt, throw it into the rubbish, or simply leave the receipt laying about in your house you are essentially giving your credit card to anyone who has access to this receipt. When you notice a business isn’t blocking out your card number on the receipt you need to bring this to the attention of the restaurant or store manager and to your bank. Eventually when enough people take notice and complain, change will come about.

Another common practice in many local businesses is for the store to enter your full credit card information into their computer system. Most people rarely notice when this happens but after the attendant runs your card into the machine they sometimes move to a computer and begin entering your personal information. Our reader noted when this happens he asks to speak with the manager and if they won’t run the transaction without recording personal information then he will pay cash or cancel the transaction. It only takes one dishonest employee or someone with a basic knowledge of computers and the stores entire customer list with credit card information can be stolen. There is no reason or excuse for a business to keep a file or store your personal information, and unless you bring this to the stores attention the practice will continue.

We’ve discussed this in previous newsletters but you should never give out personal information over the phone, and careful consideration should be made concerning the personal information you provide to all businesses. In Kenya scams are often run out of the prisons and may take many forms. Pre-texting is where a person pretending to be with a legitimate company like your mobile carrier, supermarket, etc calls or sends an sms to try to get you to verify your account numbers or even passport number. Phishing is basically the same except the thief will send you an email instead of calling you. Fake sweepstakes or lottery offers are usually sent by sms or email and claim that you've won a promotion, lottery or some other sweepstakes that you've never actually entered. Remember if contacted by phone or sms message, remain calm and don’t give out any personal information. Always note the number, don’t pick up if they call again, and never respond to messages from unknown numbers.

Social Networking sights are another area where thieves may gather your personal information. Most adults are careful about the information they give out but some teenagers and even unknowing adults may put themselves at risk of identity theft with the personal information the post to online sites such as Facebook. Identity thieves find names, addresses, and even birth dates on popular sites and use them to commit identity fraud.

Another area of concern comes from lost or stolen personal items. It's pretty obvious how thieves steal your identity by stealing your wallet or purse but how many consider the personal information they’re storing inside of an iphone or laptop. As the technology becomes smaller and easier to use you may be tempted to store personal information on these devices. Careful consideration should be made concerning the personal information you store on these devices. There are commercial programs available which store this information inside of password protected vaults or encrypted partitions, but the best practice is to consider how this information could be used in the hands of thieves and then decide if it’s worth storing the information on your device and the level of protection you may need for this personal information.
It’s easy to think, “it won’t happen to me, or hasn’t happened yet” but given the statistics the crime is growing fast and the chances are high you may be affected. There are many more tactics used to gain access to your personal information and the thieves are coming up with new scams daily. Unless you are proactive in your approach to protect yourself from this crime by limiting the personal information you give out and speaking out when stores or business aren’t protecting your privacy you too could be victim of this crime.

Kidnap & Ransom

The following information was given to me by the Diplomatic Police Unit in Nairobi:

Kidnap Prevention

There has been a new development in kidnappings in the Nairobi area in recent months. Kenyans have been kidnapped by Kenyans in the past and this continues. The new development is kidnapping of Internationals where ransom has been demanded and paid.

Kidnapping or hostage taking is a crime that is used for both ideological ends, by terrorists, or monetary gain, by criminals. From the information available on the recent kidnappings in Nairobi, these kidnappings are for ransom.

This type of crime requires planning and coordination and is one of the few non-opportunist crimes affecting the population of Kenya.

Mitigating measures:

At Home

• Identify visitors before opening the door or gate to your premises; if in doubt, don’t open. If visitors are insistent, push the Security alarm to have the Security mobile Response Team respond and handle the visitor. If no security alarm, call the Jurisdictional police (have Police hotline stored in mobile phones).

• Use solid wooden or metal doors and good dead bolt locks.

• Keep windows locked.

• At night, close curtains before turning on lights.

• Erect tall boundaries, walls and fences maximize your security and privacy.

• Keep young children in sight or, if leaving them with someone, ensure that this person is aware that they may be at risk of kidnapping. Ensure that guardians of children have a mobile phone with appropriate contact numbers.

Lighting

• Effective use of lighting can considerably improve your personal safety.

• Consider sensor/timer activated lighting.

• At night, leave a courtesy light on at your front door/gate.

• Always have reserve lights (such as torches or candles) readily available in the residence and in vehicles.

Key Care

• Keep strict control over your keys.

• Do not allow duplicates to be made without your permission.

• If a key is lost, replace lock(s).

• Never conceal keys outside the premises or where anyone would know where they are.

• Always be vigilant and report anything suspicious to your Jurisdictional Police and Security Provider.

Traveling

By vehicle:

• Be alert, especially when leaving or entering your home/premises.

• Vary your routes and times of journeys.

• Travel with company, (in convoy) where possible.

• Report any suspicious vehicles or people to Police or the Security Provider.

• If you think you are being followed; go to the nearest public area (shopping mall, well lit petrol station, Police Post; avoid becoming isolated).

• Be suspicious of anyone trying to get you to stop or leave your vehicle.

• Always, keep windows closed and doors locked.

• When stopping; do not allow yourself to be boxed in, leave enough room to maneuver.

• When parking, do not leave anything in your vehicle that may identify you or your business.

• Try to avoid parking anywhere that may become dark or isolated before your return.

Walking

• Avoid walking after hours of darkness.

• Keep to busy, brightly lit areas where possible.

• Avoid short cuts across waste ground, deserted parks and unlit alleys.

• Be alert to your surroundings.

If A Kidnapping Occurs

• Your only job is to survive.

• At the time of your seizure, do not attempt to fight back. The first 15 to 45 minutes are the most dangerous.

• Do not play the hero; do not talk back or act “tough.”

• Fear is a normal reaction.

• Try to relax, pause, take a deep breath and accept the situation.

• Keep a low profile.

• Be cooperative without appearing either servile or antagonistic.

• Follow the instructions of your captors.

• Never beg, plead or cry.

• Do not make threats against your captors or indicate that you would testify against them.

• Avoid appearing to study your captor’s features, dress and mannerisms.

• Try to gain your captors’ respect and try to build rapport with them.

• An excellent topic of discussion is family and children.

• Encourage your captors to let the authorities know your condition and whereabouts.

• Take care of yourself; exercise, stay well groomed, eat and drink even if you are not hungry.

• Be patient and mentally prepared for isolation.

• Focus your mind on pleasant scenes, memories or prayers.

• Do not attempt to escape unless you are certain you will be successful.

• If there is a rescue attempt by force, drop to the floor and keep your hands over your head.

• Once the situation stabilizes identify yourself to the rescuers.

If anyone has any additions or comments we welcome your comments.