Feeling like you are at risk from losing your identity? Below is 10 helpful tips to keep you safe!
#1 Don't put private information on public computers
What ever you do, never use a public computer to buy anything. Even though you think that just typing your information into a computer once that it will delete and never be found, there are many ways to find out exactly what you typed on that computer.
#2 Use optional security questions
By using optional security questions that a website offers you will decrease the chances of someone else getting your personal information.
#3 Don't reuse passwords
Reusing the same passwords can be very convenient, but if someone peeks over your shoulder and sees your password then if they know that password they'll just assume that it's your password for everything.
#4 Set banking alerts
Setting up banking alerts is one of the smartest things you can do. Not only does it benefit you by alerting you when you spend money, but it is also very useful to have if someone other than yourself spends money.
#5 Don't store sensitive information on non-secure websites
As more and more useful Web applications start springing up, such as Backpack, Facebook, and Google Calendars, it's important to make sure that you're not storing sensitive data on non-secure Web sites.
#6 Hackers Are Always One Step Ahead
Online fraudsters are technologically savvy and adept at staying ahead of police. According to Avivah Litan of the technology firm Gartner Group, fewer than one in 700 identity crimes lead to an arrest. That means these criminals are constantly getting away with it. Threats evolve so quickly that before police even have a handle on old techniques, hackers have moved on to new ones. From dumpster diving to find your old bills to posing as a financial institution needing your personal identity, these thieves are certainly creative.
#7 Hackers
Sophisticated hackers know that their best bet is to hack into credit card and information databases where they can obtain personal information from thousands, which requires very little effort. Even if they don't use that information themselves, hackers can then sell the database information to other thieves.
It happened to Zappos.com earlier this month -- hackers got access to the email addresses, passwords and billing information of 24 million people who have shopped the online shoe store.Hackers have breached security to get customer data from plenty of other companies and retailers, including: Choicepoint, Lexis Nexis, DSW Shoe Warehouse, TJ Maxx, HSBC and Bank of America.
#8 Know how to spot phishing or spam
Phishing is a technique used by identity thieves to get your sensitive information by pretending to be a site you trust. Anything that asks for your social security number, ID, or even your credit card can be a sign of phishing.
#9 Order your credit report
Your credit report is your window into your ID security. Ordering your credit card is free for just once a year, but if you pay then you can order your credit report when ever.
#10 Dispose any hard copy of private information you don't need
Properly disposing your private information is extremely important. Anything that cant be shredded through a paper shredder should be either burnt or cut up. Everything you dispose that is personal should be done with caution.
#1 Don't put private information on public computers
What ever you do, never use a public computer to buy anything. Even though you think that just typing your information into a computer once that it will delete and never be found, there are many ways to find out exactly what you typed on that computer.
#2 Use optional security questions
By using optional security questions that a website offers you will decrease the chances of someone else getting your personal information.
#3 Don't reuse passwords
Reusing the same passwords can be very convenient, but if someone peeks over your shoulder and sees your password then if they know that password they'll just assume that it's your password for everything.
#4 Set banking alerts
Setting up banking alerts is one of the smartest things you can do. Not only does it benefit you by alerting you when you spend money, but it is also very useful to have if someone other than yourself spends money.
#5 Don't store sensitive information on non-secure websites
As more and more useful Web applications start springing up, such as Backpack, Facebook, and Google Calendars, it's important to make sure that you're not storing sensitive data on non-secure Web sites.
#6 Hackers Are Always One Step Ahead
Online fraudsters are technologically savvy and adept at staying ahead of police. According to Avivah Litan of the technology firm Gartner Group, fewer than one in 700 identity crimes lead to an arrest. That means these criminals are constantly getting away with it. Threats evolve so quickly that before police even have a handle on old techniques, hackers have moved on to new ones. From dumpster diving to find your old bills to posing as a financial institution needing your personal identity, these thieves are certainly creative.
#7 Hackers
Sophisticated hackers know that their best bet is to hack into credit card and information databases where they can obtain personal information from thousands, which requires very little effort. Even if they don't use that information themselves, hackers can then sell the database information to other thieves.
It happened to Zappos.com earlier this month -- hackers got access to the email addresses, passwords and billing information of 24 million people who have shopped the online shoe store.Hackers have breached security to get customer data from plenty of other companies and retailers, including: Choicepoint, Lexis Nexis, DSW Shoe Warehouse, TJ Maxx, HSBC and Bank of America.
#8 Know how to spot phishing or spam
Phishing is a technique used by identity thieves to get your sensitive information by pretending to be a site you trust. Anything that asks for your social security number, ID, or even your credit card can be a sign of phishing.
#9 Order your credit report
Your credit report is your window into your ID security. Ordering your credit card is free for just once a year, but if you pay then you can order your credit report when ever.
#10 Dispose any hard copy of private information you don't need
Properly disposing your private information is extremely important. Anything that cant be shredded through a paper shredder should be either burnt or cut up. Everything you dispose that is personal should be done with caution.
Important Fast Facts
- Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America.
- The number of identity theft incidents has reached 9.9 million a year, according to the Federal Trade Commission.
- Every minute about 19 people fall victim to identity theft.
- It takes the average victim an estimated $500 and 30 hours to resolve each identity theft crime.
- Studies have shown that it’s becoming more common for the ones stealing your identity to be those closest to you. One study found 32% of identity theft victims discovered a family member or relative was responsible for stealing their identity. That same study found 18% were victimized by a friend, neighbor or in-home employee.
- Most cases of identity theft can be resolved if they are caught early.
- Financial institutions – like banks and creditors – usually only hold the victim responsible for the first $50 of fraudulent charges.
- Only 28% of identity theft cases involve credit or financial fraud. Phone, utility, bank and employment fraud make up another 50% of cases.
Works Cited
http://www.transunion.com/personal-credit/identity-theft-and-fraud/identity-theft-facts.page
http://www.lifelock.com/education/
http://www.fuzeqna.com/ccul/consumer/kbdetail.asp?kbid=451
http://www.transunion.com/personal-credit/identity-theft-and-fraud/identity-theft-facts.page
http://www.lifelock.com/education/
http://www.fuzeqna.com/ccul/consumer/kbdetail.asp?kbid=451