Imposter Fraud/True name Fraud
Criminals armed with a few simply obtained facts about you (name, Social Security number) can open fraudulent bank, credit card, etc., accounts and even get their hands on your money. There are tilings you can do to protect yourself from this kind of fraud, but with technological advances everyday, nothing is foolproof. Here are a few tips:
Wallets/Purses
Limit the number of credit cards that you carry because the fact is that thieves steal these items. The thief will have less to work with if s/he gets their hands on these items. Memorize your SS# so that you won't have to carry the card and limit the papers you carry with this information on it.
When mailing outgoing mail with sensitive information, credit card bills, etc., mail them from an official postal pick up box and not your unsecured home mailbox. Use of your residential mailbox with the little red flag is a signal to the local thief that you have outgoing mail. Thieves sometimes steal the mail, others open the envelopes, copy the personal information, then reseal the envelope and mail the item. You don't realize that there's a problem until it's too late.
Don't throw documents in the trash that contain personal information. Criminals «dumpster dive» through the trash for this kind of information. If you can, shred the documents, if not, use a black marker to mark out the personal information, then tear up the documents before discarding them.
Pay attention to your mail. You should know how much mail on average you receive each day. If there is an interruption in that amount you may want to contact the post office to find out why.
Never give out personal information over the telephone. (How many times do we have to say this?) If you initiated the call and know who you are talking to it may be OK to give the information if it is necessary to accomplish your needs.
Check all of your monthly bills upon receiving them. If you find something that you don't recognize on the bill, especially credit cards, contact the issuer immediately, and resolve the problem. It could just be a mistake on the issuers' part or it could be criminal activity which will only become worse.
In today's market information is a valuable commodity and criminals are paying for this information from «brokers» who sell it. (This shouldn't be much of a surprise since spys have done this for years.).
GOOD LUCK!
| § Vocabulary notes | ||||||
| imposter = impostor | [Im'post@] | 1) обманщик, мошенник; 2) самозванец | ||||
| foolproof | ['fu:lpru:f] | безопасный, защищенный от неумелого или неосторожного обращения | ||||
| tip | 1 ) совет, намек; 2) чаевые; 3) кончик, верхушка; | |||||
| 4) место свалки | ||||||
| wallet | ['wolIt] | бумажник | ||||
| purse | 1) кошелек; 2) сумка (женская) | |||||
| to memorize | ['mem@raIz] | запоминать, заучивать наизусть | ||||
| trash | 1) мусор, хлам; 2) халтура, ерунда | |||||
| dump | свалка, мусорная куча | |||||
| dumpster | тот, кто роется в мусоре | |||||
| dive | ныряние, погружение | |||||
| to shred | резать/рвать на кусочки | |||||
| to discard | [dIs'ka:d] | 1) выбрасывать; 2) увольнять | ||||
| interruption | [,Int@'röpSn] | перерыв, прерывание, задержка | ||||
| issuer | ['Isju@] | эмитент, чекодатель (банк, выдавший кредитную карточку, организация, выдавшая какой-либо документ) | ||||
| to resolve | [rI'zoulv] | решать, разрешать | ||||
| to resolve a problem | решить проблему | |||||
| to resolve doubts | разрешать сомнения | |||||
Words and Grammar
a Form a few similar words and translate them into Russian:
waterproof, soundpront, foolproof... to reread,...............................
ingoing,................................................ daily,......................................
b Write down the families of the following words:
technology.................................. to reside ...........................................
memory......................................to issue.............................................
to secure.....................................to dive...............................................
to sense...................................... to inform..........................................
с Explain the meaning of the following words in English and give the Russian equivalents:
gangster– ...a member of a gang of armed criminals - ганстер......
dumpster............................... criminal (n.)..................................
mobster.................................. issuer.............................................
imposter................................. commodity...................................
dWrite down as many nouns as you can with the following adjectives and translate these word combinations into Russian:
e Underline the basic nouns and translate the following word combinations into Russian:
im poster fraud.............................................................................
true name fraud............................................................................
credit card issuer..........................................................................
bills issuer....................................................................................
credit card bills............................................................................
bank account...............................................................................
credit card account.....................................................................
f Write down the following words in full:
SS.................................................................................................
NSF..............................................................................................
etc.................................................................................................
i.e. ...............................................................................................
eg. ...............................................................................................
g Encircle the Infinitives, write down what parts of sentences they are and translate the sentences into Russian:
1 Criminals can open fraudulent bank account. ....(part of the predicate) Преступники могут
открывать подложные банковские счета.
2 There are things you can do to protect yourself. .............................................................
3 The thief will have less to work with. .............................................................
4 Memorize your SS# so that you won't have to carry the card. .............................................................
5 You should know how much mail on average you receive daily. .............................................................
6 You may want to contact the post office. .............................................................
Suggested activities
h Write down for whom the following tips are important:
• check all the monthly bills received by post.......................................................................
• check if mail comes regularly.............................................................................................
• send important mail from an official postal pick up box....................................................
• never give personal information over the telephone..........................................................
• never throw documents in the trash...................................................................................
• never carry many credit cards in the wallet or purse.........................................................
i Answer the following questions:
j Discuss with your group-mates the meaning of the statement: Information is a valuable commodity in today's market.
k Agree or disagree and substantiate your viewpoint:
1 Criminals are very inventive.
2 Sentences passed for such offences can be a few years of imprisonment.
Text 3: Bank Cards
There are a few types of bank cards. The most popular are credit cards and cash cards, which look very much alike. Here is the face and the back of a sample cash card:
Cash dispenser, automatic teller machine or cashpoint are some of the names given to machines from which customers can withdraw money from their bank accounts, using their cash cards.
If customers want to pay for goods or services by cheque, they can use their card to guarantee their cheques. In a shop the salesperson will ask to see the bank card or cheque guaranteed card. The salesperson will write down the number of the customer's bank card on the back of the cheque. In this way the customer's bank guarantees payments up to a 50 or 100 limit. The salesperson also makes sure that the customer's signature on the cheque is the same as the signature on their bank card. The sort code of the bank is also on the bank card. This number, and the name of the bank, should be the same as on the cheque.
Credit cards are also very convenient because it is possible to buy things in shops, pay with for different services and so on. When a customer pays for his purchases in a shop, for example, he presents his credit card to the seller. The seller takes the details of the card: the number, the credit limit and the expiry date. The customer signs the seller's voucher (making two copies) which the seller uses to collect payment from the credit card company or the bank later.
For this service the retailer pays a fee, around 4 per cent of the value of the transaction. Each month the credit company or the bank sends the cardholder a statement which lists that month's transactions and interest charges.
When the company or the bank receives the vouchers it pays the banks of the payees through the clearing system the value of each retailer's total sales minus the commission. At the same time it debits the cardholders' accounts.
Vocabulary notes
| expiry EFTPOS = Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale | [IkspaI@rI] | истечение, окончание срока система электронных платежей в пункте продажи (система, позволяющая использовать пластиковую карточку с помощью терминала в магазине или | ||||
| других пунктов продажи для прямого | ||||||
| занесения в компьютер эмитента | ||||||
| информации о платеже) | ||||||
| ATM = Automatic Teller Machine | банкомат | |||||
| teller (Am.) | кассир (в банке) | |||||
| cashier (Br.) | ||||||
| dispenser | 1) банкомат; | |||||
| 2) торговый автомат | ||||||
| salesperson | продавец (в широком значении слова, включая продавца, кассира, владельца магазина и т.д.) | |||||
| to make sure | убедиться | |||||
| clearing system | клиринговая система | |||||
| (безналичная система расчетов | ||||||
| по платежам, чекам, ценным | ||||||
| бумагам, созданная группой | ||||||
| финансовых учреждений) | ||||||
| commission | комиссионные, комиссионное вознаграждение | |||||
| to debit | ['debIt] | дебетовать | ||||
| ant.to credit | кредитовать | |||||
| to debit/to credit smb's | дебетовать/кредитовать | |||||
| account with a certain sum of maney | счёт на какую-либо сумму | |||||
§ Word study
a Give the English equivalents:
наименование банковской карточки .....................................................................................
номер карточки ......................................................................................
срок действия ......................................................................................
банк-плательщик .....................................................................................
магнитная полоска .....................................................................................
подпись владельца карточки .....................................................................................
гарантированная (банком) .....................................................................................
максимальная сумма чека .....................................................................................
банкомат .....................................................................................
кассир (в банке) ....................................................................................
комиссионные ....................................................................................
система безналичных расчётов ....................................................................................
снять со счета фирмы сумму ....................................................................................
перевести на счёт фирмы ....................................................................................
b Say:
| • what information the sample cash card gives • what ATM is • what EFTPOS is | • what a cash card is • what a credit card is • if bank cards are in circulation in Russia now |
с Translate the following sentences into English:
1 В соответствии с условиями контракта расчеты за услуги могут производиться по кредитным карточкам.
2 В контракте должно быть указано, по каким именно кредитным карточкам могут производиться расчёты, т. е. должны быть указаны эмитенты карточек.
3 Они не принимают к расчету эти кредитные карточки с 1-го числа этого месяца.
4 Просим сообщить, возможно ли оплачивать услуги турагентов по банковским карточкам.
5 В случае утери карточки вы должны написать соответствующее заявление.
d Write what you know about bank cards in circulation in Russia.
Skim and scan:
Read the text quickly and say if it describes only credit cards frauds.
Text 4(continuation of Texts 1 and 2)
Question: Someone lias gotten credit cards in my name and I don't know who it is. What do I do?
Answer: When you are notified by a credit company that someone is using your identity to obtain credit you should:
1 Advise the credit company that you did not open the account.
2 Advise them not to extend credit to the person.
3 Contact your local police agency and make a police information report regarding «imposter fraud».
4 Contact the credit bureaus (TRW, CBI, EQUIFAX, etc.) and request that they «flag» your file.
These cases are very difficult to investigate. Due to the nature of the crime, you by definition under Fla. law, are not the victim of a crime. If the individuals responsible are ever identified they can be charged with their illegal acts and you could also bring a civil action against them. This could be very costly. Due to information kept in computer banks about you these types of crimes are becoming more prevelent.
Question: I have given money to a telemarketer and have not received anything, what do I do?
Answer: Contact your local police agency and they can direct you to the correct reporting agency.
Question: Do the police work every case referred to them?
Answer: In an ideal world probably. In a realistic world, it depends. Due to governmental cutbacks, cases have to be prioritized. Cases which are of a high priority will more-than-likely be worked first.
Some agencies have placed thresholds on the amount of loss incurred by the victim as to whether they work the case.
In many cases, involving loss of money, civil actions can he taken in small claims court to seek redress.
§ Vocabulary notes
| identity | [aI'dentItI] | 1) подлинность; 2) идентичность; 3) личность, |
| индивидуальность | ||
| to flag | 1) сигнализировать, украшать флагами; 2) 2) выстилать плитами; 3) отметить, выделить | |
| bureau; (pi.) | бюро | |
| bureaus (Am.) = bureaux (Br.) | ['bju@r@u] | |
| due to | благодаря | |
| costly | дорогой, ценный | |
| syn. expensive, valuable | ||
| cutback | ['kötb{k] | сокращение, снижение |
| cutback of economic activity | спад экономической активности | |
| priority | [praI'orItI] | 1) приоритет, старшинство |
| to consider smth a priority | придавать чему-либо большое значение | |
| 2) порядок срочности, очередности | ||
| order of priority | очередность | |
| to take priority of | 1) предшествовать; 2) пользоваться преимуществом | |
| redress | [rI'dres] | 1) исправление, восстановление; 2) возмещение, удовлетворение |
Words and Grammar
aWrite out the English equivalents:
получить кредитную карточку на чье-либо имя .....................................................................
Я не знаю, кто это и что мне делать .....................................................................
когда вы получаете сведения от кредитной организации .....................................................................
сообщите кредитной организации .....................................................................
получать кредит .....................................................................
предоставлять кредит .....................................................................
b Translate into Russian:
1 Contact your local police agency. 3 Request the credit bureau to «flag» your file.
2 Make a police information report. 4 These cases are very difficult to investigate.
с Choose the correct prepositions:
Due for/to the nature of a crime, the person, by/in definition under Fla. law, is not a victim of/from a crime in this case. If the swindler is identified he can be charged about/with the illegal act and the person can bring a civil action on/against the swindler. These types in/of crimes are becoming more prevelent.
d Reproduce the answers to the following questions:
1 I have given money to a tele- ......................................................
marketer and have not received .......................................................
anything, what should I do? ......................................................
2 Do the police work every case ......................................................
referred to them? ......................................................
e Say what the speaker meant by the following words, to your mind:
• governmental cutbacks
• Cases have to be prioritized.
• Such cases will more-than-likely be worked first.
f Discuss with your group-mates the following topic: Cases of a high priority
Pre-reading questions:
1. Are you glad the last text of the series is coming?
2. Do you think it will be the most important one? Skim and scan:
Read the text quickly and say which question seems most important to you.
Text 5
Question: I'm a small businessman and think that I have a dishonest employee. What do I do?
Answer: You must attempt to determine yourself whether the individual is dishonest.
If you have proof that the employee is stealing from you, based upon surveys done, you must report it to the police. Once you report it you must be willing to follow-up and prosecute the individual. If it's worth reporting it's worth following up. If you do what most other small businesses do and terminate the employee he will move on to another business and victimize them the same way.
Question: Igot a counterfeit ($10, $20, $50, $100, $500). Who do I call?
Answer: The United States Secret Service (USSS) is responsible for the investigation of counterfeit treasury notes. It is however, sometimes quicker and easier to contact local law enforcement. They will take a report, once the bill has been determined to be counterfeit.
They will make a property receipt, and place the bill in evidence.
The counterfeit currency can then be obtained by the USSS at their convenience.
Question: I know someone who was flim-flammed on the street but they are ashamed to report it. What should I do?
Answer: Unless the victim of the crime is willing to cooperate it is not of much use for you to make a formal report. However a call to the «Crime Stoppers» line could prove to be of some help if you have any information about the subjects and location.
Question: I think my mother/ father/ grandmother/ grandfather/ another elderly person is being exploited by someone, who do I report it to?
Answer: You have a choice: You may report it to the Division of Health & Rehabilitative Services (HRS) or your local law enforcement agency. The simplest way is to call the 1-800-ABUSE line, they will handle it from their end once the report has been made.
§ Vocabulary notes
| to determine | [dI't@:mIn] | 1) определять, устанавливать; 2) заканчиваться, | ||||
| истекать (о сроке, аренде) | ||||||
| proof | 1 ) доказательство | |||||
| This requires no proof | Это не требует доказательства; 2) свидетельское показание | |||||
| survey | ['s@:veI] | 1) обследование, инспектирование; 2) отчет об обследовании | ||||
| to terminate | ['t@:mIneIt] | 1) заканчивать(ся), завершать(ся); 2) ограничивать; | ||||
| 3) ставить предел, положить конец | ||||||
| treasury note | ['trеZ@rI] | банкнота, казначейский билет, среднесрочная свободно обращающаяся казначейская облигация(США) | ||||
| treasury | сокровищница | |||||
| the Treasury | государственное казначейство, министерство | |||||
| финансов | ||||||
| to place smth in evidence | представить что-либо в | |||||
| качестве доказательства | ||||||
| to flim-flam | (разг.) обманывать, мошенничать | |||||
| unless unless and until to | если не, пока не до тех нор, пока не | |||||
| rehabilitate | [,rI:@'bIlIteIt] | 1) реабилитировать, восстанавливать в правах; 2) (ам.) исправлять, перевоспитывать (преступника) 3) ремонтировать; 4) восстанавливать здоровье | ||||
§ Word study
a Group the following words and word combinations from the box into a few logical units and fill in the table:
| small busuness, counterfeit, crime stoppers, dishonest employee, to report it to police, employeer, to victimize, treasury note, to steal, to terminate, property receipt, to follow up, to flim flam, to prosecute, to be ashamed to report it |
| Group | ||||
b Use one of the following words in these sentences, based on the text:
| rehabilitative, worth, investigation, local law enforcement, attempt to determine, survey |
1 The USSS is responsible for the............of counterfeit treasury notes but sometimes it is easier to contact............
2 HRS stand for Health and............Services.
3 The employer must ............himself that he has a dishonest employee.
4 He must do a............proving that the employee is stealing from him and then he must report it to the police.
5 If it is............reporting, it's............following up.
с Translate the following words into English:
поддельная банкнота .......................................................................
определить, что банкнота поддельная .......................................................................
местный орган правопорядка .......................................................................
выдать квитанцию о приеме банкноты .......................................................................
получить банкноты .......................................................................
b Match the English and Russian equivalents:
Suggested activities
сWrite down all the questions the District Attorney was asked, according to this text.
d Write down shorter answers than those given by the Attorney.
e Reproduce this talk of the Attorney with the audience.
f Answer the following questions:
In conclusion
g Look through all the texts of this section and write a short essay Consumer frauds in the USA.
h Make a list of the organisations combating consumer frauds in the USA, according to the texts.
i Agree or disagree and substantiate your viewpoint:
1 Consumer frauds have spread worldwide.
2 Lawyers often deal with consumer frauds.
Part F. Business and Law
Section 1: Companies in the UK
Section 2: Business Contracts
Section 3: A Contract for Services
Section 5: Russian Law on Joint Stock Companies
Section 6: International Trade and Documents
Section 7: SWIFT and Payments