Safe-guarding Against Identity Theft
Know
who you're dealing with. Generally, you should only conduct transactions
involving personal information if you are the person who initiated the
call. You should also be wary of callers who say information is needed
in order for you to collect a prize. There's a booming "information
industry" in America, and companies sometimes employ a method known as
"pretexting," in which they contact you or your family to gain personal
information through deception. In most cases this is legal, although the
information can then be passed on to someone who uses it to commit a crime,
such as identity theft or stalking. A recent General Accounting Office
report estimates that as many as 750,000 American are victims of identity theft
every year. And that number may be low, as many people choose not to report
the crime or, for that matter, even know they've been victimized.
Safeguard your computer.
Often used to store financial records, tax returns, photos and other personal
information, your computer is a treasure trove for an identity thief.
You should update your virus software regularly and not open unfamiliar e-mail
attachments, since viruses can create backdoors for hackers to steal information
from your PC. Also, make sure your browser, such as Internet Explorer
or Netscape, is updated with the lastest encription software so that information
you send over the internet is secure. When giving an account number online,
the URL on the address bar at the top of your screen should read "https"
or "shttp," not "http," and an icon at the bottom of your
screen may change from a broken key to a complete one, or an open lock to one
that is closed. This means the information is being transmitted securely.
You should next make sure the company is safeguarding the info by storing it
in a secure database, information which should be available on their Web site.
Before doing business with an unfamiliar company, check with your local consumer
protection agency and the Better Business Bureau to see if they have been reported.
Some scammers set up fake Web sites designed to steal your personal information.
If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Passwords you use
to access online accounts, including e-mail, should be treated with as much
security as the one for your ATM.
Destroy
private records and statements. You don't have to be a celebrity
to be a target of "dumpster drivers" who comb people's trash looking
for personal information. You should shred all transaction or other personal
records you don't need to keep. Be especially aware of pre-approved credit
card offers, which arrive at some people's doorsteps in a steady stream but
should not be simply tossed in the trash. To avoid getting unsolicited
offers for credit cards, the major credit bureaus will help you get your name
removed from marketing lists by calling 1-888-382-1222; they will ask for your
social security number for verification.
Secure
your mail. Empty your mailbox quickly, lock it or get a P.O.
box so criminals don't have a chance to snatch credit card pitches. Identity
thieves can target both your incoming and outgoing mail, using the information
to open new accounts, hijack existing ones, or assume your identity for other
purposes. You should send outgoing checks through public or post office
mailboxes, not the one at your home. And be sure to stop mail delivery
if you are going on vacation. Be aware that some identity theives will
put in a change of address to divert your mail. And it's important to
remember that the mail you receive may be part of a scam. For example,
some thieves have started sending out a very real looking IRS form that asks
for sensitive information. You should contact the Internal Revenue Service
and your post office if you get one of these.
A "phishing"
scheme uses phony e-mails and Web sites to get personal financial information.
The e-mail claims to be from your bank, credit-card issuer or a big-name retailer.
It asks you to "confirm" your data by clicking on a link to a Web
site (it looks like the real thing), where you fill in all the facts identity
thieves need.
You should consider buying a locked file cabinet to store important documents
at home, especially if you live with roommates or employ outside help.
At work, ask your employer whether your personal records are kept in a secure
method, since these contain a lot of essential information like social secuity
number, address, banking information, that can be used for many fraudulent purposes.
Be more defensive with personal information.
You should guard the information and cards in you wallet with as much if not
more dilligence as the money that's also inside. Don't carry more cards
than you plan to use, and keep a list of them at so you can know who to contact
if your wallet is stolen.
Social Security
Cards: Safeguard your Social Security Number. When talking
about fraud, your social security card is the key to your identity. Never
carry it in your wallet. It can be used for everything from opening accounts
to getting a marriage license. If someone is using your social security
card to commit a crime, you could be the one who the police come to arrest.
Credit Cards:
Review your credit card statements carefully. Never let your credit card
out of your sight. Thieves can steal your credit card information without
your even knowing it, which is why it is important to stay on top of your monthly
bills. One practice, called "skimming," uses a small electronic
device that records the information on the magnetic strip of your credit
card. Also, store clerks should never ask you for your home address or
social security number when making a credit card purchase.
Here is
an eye-witness account: "Yesterday I
went into a restaurant to pick up an order that I had called in. I paid
by using my Visa Check Card which, of course, is linked directly to my checking
account. The young man behind the counter took my card, swiped it, then
laid it flat on the counter as he waited for the approval, which is pretty standard
procedure. While he waited, he picked up his cell phone and started dialing.
I noticed the phone because it is the same model I have, but nothing seemed
out of the ordinary. Then I heard a click that sounded like my phone sounds
when I take a pictrue. He then gave me back my card but kept the phone
in his hand as if he was still pressing buttons. Meanwhile, I'm thinking:
I wonder what he is taking a picture of, oblivious to what was really going
on. It then dawned on me: the only thing there was my credit card,
so now I'm paying close attention to what he is doing. He set his phone
on the counter, leaving it open. About five seconds later, I heard the
chime that tells you that the picture has been saved. Now I'm standing
there struggling with the fact that this boy just took a picture of my credit
card. If I had not had the same kind of phone, I probably would never
have known what happened. Needless to say, I immediately canceled that
card as I was walking out of the restaurant."
ATM Cards:
ATM cards are less vulnerable to identity theft than checks, which can be duplicated
and give away routing information on your bank account, and credit cards, which
in most cases give thieves greater spending power. But they are not invulnerable.
The first thing you should do is store your PIN number in a safe place, and
make it something tricky, not your birth date. You should be aware of
"shoulder surfers" who may be watching you key in numbers at a machine.
If you need to contact
a credit company re: fraud, call the following numbers.
Equifax
- 1-800-525-6285
Experian
- 1-888-397-3742
TransUnion
- 1-800-680-7289