Identity Theft: Identity Theft Protection is Your First Line Against Identity Fraud

Identity Theft: Identity Theft Protection is Your First Line Against Identity Fraud

One of the fastest growing crimes in the world today is identity theft. Every year millions of people around the world are victims of this heinous crime. When a person is the victim of identity theft, it can take years for him to recover and restore his credit. Identity theft occurs when a criminal obtains your credit card number or social security number and her name. Armed with this information, a criminal can wreak havoc in her life. He or she will be able to assume your identity and empty your bank account or max out your credit cards, open new accounts in your name, and if they have a criminal record, they can identify themselves as you and their problems will be worse than you. Being able to imagine They will destroy your life. This all happens before your next statement arrives. There are ways to protect yourself against identity theft. The biggest is simply using common sense. If you lose your wallet and suspect it was stolen, immediately report it to the police and cancel your credit cards immediately. Your cards will be canceled and new ones will be mailed to you. The important thing is not to give the offender time to use your cards. Most people know your social security number, so you don’t need to carry it with you. It is recommended that you keep your social security card and personal information safe at home.

Many criminals try to get your personal information over the phone; they will call you stating that they are from your bank or credit card company and ask you to verify your personal information before they can talk to you further. Keep in mind that these companies already have your information and will never ask for your bank account number or credit card number. If you’re not sure what to do, ask them to tell you what they have for the numbers and you’ll check it that way. If a business asks for too much information to be verified, hang up and call your local police. Virtually all credit card companies and banks have security protocols that they must follow to ensure the integrity of their business.

How can I protect myself?

There are many different ways to protect yourself against identity theft. If you get in the habit of doing them daily, you will reduce your chances of becoming a victim of identity theft. Keep all your personal information such as your social security card, passport, birth certificate in a locked box or safe deposit box, it is not recommended that you carry this information with you unless it is necessary. Your social security number defines who you are. It should never be given to strangers. Although many businesses require a social security number to complete an application or to register, it is recommended that you ask if you can provide your driver’s license instead. When you’re cleaning house, don’t throw away your old bank or credit card statement, tax documents, or expired credit cards; shred them. A crafty criminal knows that health insurance forms, medical records, and even spam like pre-approved offers can be used to steal your identity. These documents must also go into the shredder. If you have a large number of credit cards, it may take a while before you realize one is missing. If you reduce the number of credit cards to one or two, you are again reducing the chance of becoming a victim of identity theft. You won’t have to wait until the return comes in at the end of the month to find out that you’ve become a victim. By using these guidelines, you are taking steps to protect yourself against identity theft; you are becoming proactive in deterring criminals from taking advantage of you.

Criminals spend a lot of time and effort developing ways to obtain your personal information. They take a very professional approach to steal your information to get your identity. Phone scams, theft, phishing, container diving, information theft, and shoulder surfing are just a few examples.

Here are some definitions on how they do it.

· A phone scam is when the criminal pretends to be someone in a position of authority or importance, such as a landlord, law enforcement officer, or public employee. People in these positions are given information more freely because the type of information is frequently requested.

Theft occurs when the criminal snatches a wallet or checks your mailbox for personal information. There are documented cases in which a criminal will enter your house if he sees a bag very close to the door.

· Phishing is a more complicated scam; it involves taking an existing website and creating a fake site to obtain your personal information. The websites that are often used for phishing are financial websites. It is important to note that if your name is not on an email you sent, or you did not register for an online account, you should contact your financial institution. Also, if the email asks you to verify your password or asks for information, you should contact the authorities.

· Dumpster diving is when the criminal goes through your trash to get your personal information. Believe it or not, more personal information has been obtained through container diving than any other method. It is important to shred all your information before throwing it away.

Skimming has become very popular in recent years. The criminal uses special machines to steal your bank card or credit card information. He or she can then use this information for illegal purposes.

Shoulder surfing is just as its name implies. A criminal will pretend to wait in line behind you while you complete your transaction to see your PIN number. He or she will strike up a conversation or create some sort of distraction and trade your good card for another. He or she will have your card and pin number to do whatever he or she wants.