|
Identity Theft 101 |
|
|
Do you have $20 burning a hole in your pocket? Well according to Elane Kovach of Prestige Insurance, the best thing you can do with that money is march on over to your favorite discount or office supply store and buy yourself a basic paper shredder.
“Don’t just tear up those credit card applications and throw them in the trash,” said Kovach, “Thieves can easily tape them back together or at least get the numbers off of them to make a phone call. Instead, be sure to shred any financial or personal correspondence that comes in the mail. You can’t be too careful these days with identity theft on the rise.”
Identity theft is a $5 billion industry affecting more than 10 million people in the year 2005 alone and it doesn’t take much information for a thief to get started. In addition to shredding documents, there are many simple things you can do to combat this prolific crime.
Traveling? Have the post office hold your mail when traveling and be sure to call the newspaper carrier too. Nothing says, “Nobody home” like a week old stack of papers.
Dining out? If you use a credit card, be sure the full card number doesn’t appear on the receipt. It should only display the last four digits. If it’s more than that, black them out with a pen.
Telephone solicitors? Never, ever give credit card or bank account information to a telephone solicitor. If the product or service is legit, they’ll be more than happy to send you written documentation. If not, I guess they’re just out of luck.
Write checks? Don’t put your social security number on them. That gives thieves all sorts of options. Name, address, phone number, bank account number and social security number all in one place. A scam artist’s dream.
The bottom line is, make it tough for the crook. Don’t leave your personal information just lying around for the taking.
And with so much financial information floating around the internet these days, thieves don’t even have to move out of their cushy leather office chairs to steal your money. So what is the equivalent of a virtual paper shredder?
Let’s start with information. Be an informed consumer. Deal only with reputable websites and if you have a question, pick up the phone and call. Trust your instincts. If it looks like a rat and smells like a rat, it’s probably a rat.
You wouldn’t leave your home unlocked while you’re on vacation, so why leave your do the equivalent with your computer?
Be sure to install and keep up-to-date anti-virus and anti-spyware software and install a firewall. Choose strong passwords and keep them to yourself. If you need help, contact experts in computer security. The volunteers at CastleCops can offer suggestions to help keep your computer safe and secure.
If you find yourself to be a victim of identity fraud, first contact your financial institution and credit card companies as quickly as possible. Close accounts, cancel cards and report the fraud. Then call the three major credit companies Equifax, 800-685-1111, www.equifax.com; Experian, 888-EXPERIAN (888-397-3742), www.experian.com and TransUnion, 800-916-8800, www.transunion.com. The next stop is local authorities and the FTC.
But the best defense is always a good offense and there are many ways to protect yourself from identity theft. For more tips and information about online fraud, visit the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website onguardonline.gov or for identity theft in general, go to their website.
|
|
|
 |
| "Identity Theft 101" | Login/Create an Account | 2 comments | Search |
|
| | The comments are owned by the poster. We aren't responsible for their content. |
|
|
|
No Comments Allowed for Anonymous, please register |
|
| |
|
Login |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
· New User? · Click here to create a registered account.
|
|
|
Article Rating |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average Score: 4
Votes: 1
|
|
|
