Check out some similar questions!

TRG · Jul 6, 2013, 10:04 AM

Can I be a victim of identity theft if he only knows my first name and the state that I live in?

Wondergirl · Jul 6, 2013, 10:05 AM

Does he have your email address?

TRG · Jul 6, 2013, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by Wondergirl

Does he have your email address?

I created a phony email address before messaging him. He stated that he needed $350 for his sick father in Nigeria. I immediately stopped communicating with him and deleted all of his emails.

Wondergirl · Jul 6, 2013, 10:22 AM

I'm not sure what he could do with your computer's IP address. I will ask one of our computer guys to look at this thread.

TRG · Jul 6, 2013, 10:28 AM

Originally Posted by Wondergirl

I'm not sure what he could do with your computer's IP address. I will ask one of our computer guys to look at this thread.

Okay, thank you.

Wondergirl · Jul 6, 2013, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by TRG

Okay, thank you.

I'm told by an expert here that you have nothing to worry about.

TRG · Jul 6, 2013, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by Wondergirl

I'm told by an expert here that you have nothing to worry about.

Thank you so much! And have a great day!

talaniman · Jul 6, 2013, 10:33 AM

The short answer is YES, that's all they need to fake an identity in your name. And yes it's a scam, so protect yourself by keeping an eye on anything you have and watching for your name to pop up applying for credit.

joypulv · Jul 6, 2013, 02:38 PM

A long answer is that no one is really safe online from someone who really wants to get into your computer. 'Fake' email - what's that? You created it on your computer. Once someone is IN your computer, they can find out all sorts of access to various accounts.

Most such people aren't interested in the individual. They are busy getting into banks and governments and corporations to steal big money and information.

ScottGem · Jul 6, 2013, 02:45 PM

Identity Theft occurs when someone uses your real info to create phony accounts or to get into your accounts. With just your first name and state, its unlikely he has enough to do either. Sending him e-mail from your PC might allow him to access your computer to get more info, though its not likely.

But to keep yourself safe, I would register at a monitoring service (creditkarma.com is free) to keep track. Also keep track of all your bank accounts.

JudyKayTee · Jul 7, 2013, 08:20 AM

I suspect if he's a professional scammer he's in your computer.

N0help4u · Jul 7, 2013, 08:50 AM

I think as long as you don't have banking info in your computer its more important than contact info. What I do is for internet purchases I have a separate bank card not affiliated with my regular bank

odinn7 · Jul 7, 2013, 09:10 AM

The majority of those scammers are out for the easier money with bulk mailing and conning people into giving them money. I am not saying that none of them will do identity theft but most of them are in it for the con. They work hundreds of people at a time so there is big money in that and it is easier for them than trying to hack your system. Most of the people that do it are just working for someone else and following loose scripts for the scam they are working.

JudyKayTee · Jul 7, 2013, 09:31 AM

Agree with my colleague, Nohelp. I take it a step beyond that. My work computer (which has my legal research/info/reports) is NOT and never has been connected to the Internet. In fact, I run 4 computers. My employees do not have access to any of my personal info.

I have no idea what a "fake" internet address is.

I also know that people drop kernels of info on dating sites and don't even realize it.

N0help4u · Jul 7, 2013, 11:11 AM

The fake is simply a secondary acct.