the dark side of internet

Teenager's social network profiles stalked for credit card fraud, police expert warns | News.com.au

FRAUDSTERS are buying credit cards for cheap on the black market and then "harvesting" intimate details of teenagers from social networking sites such as Facebook to steal their identities.

agerQueensland's fraud unit head, detective Superintendent Brian Hay, yesterday warned D-Day was coming for a generation who will become young fraud victims after posting too much personal information about themselves on the net.

Speaking at a parliamentary inquiry into cyber crime, Supt Hay said details of 16-year-olds were being stored in "data warehouses" and the youths were regularly cyber stalked so information about them could be updated - allowing for credit cards to be established in their names when they turn 18.

Supt Hay said the young people wrongly believed they had nothing to lose by posting so many intimate details about their lives on the internet.

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Dates of birth, addresses, photos, school details and names of pets meant teens were opening up their lives to online criminals.

"It will come back to impact on them in a big way down the track," he said. "There is a lack of appreciation of the dark side of the internet."

He said there were black market portals where fraudsters could buy 100 credit cards for as little as 8 each.

For $7, full credit card details could be bought, while for less than $80 billing addresses could be changed by receiving cards and supporting ID.

Enough money can also pay for hackers and the latest card skimmers.

But Supt Hay, who wants a national, consumer-based database to help victims and track down perpetrators, said baby boomers were also being hit hard by scammers.

"Nigerian 419" scams had fleeced Australians of millions and one of the most popular scams was false romances.

But despite many Queenslanders losing their homes, superannuation and life savings, many did not report the crime to police and many continued to give money even after they were told by police they had been scammed, he said.

"(There was someone who went) from living on acreage to living in caravan parks," he said.

"When contact is made the hook may not be set for 4-9 months to garner their confidence."

He said the fraudsters than asked for financial help.

Since 2006-2009 there has been a 1000 per cent increase in romance scams. It is understood about 14 per cent of people wanting to join dating sites could be linked to scams.