How to Prevent Identity Theft

 Your identity and personal papers are valuable. Criminals that find your personal details can use them to get credit cards, open bank accounts, take out loans,  and obtain documents such as passports and driving licenses in your name.

Identity theft is a crime.  Criminals can easily access your personal data without evening having to break into your home - instead they can overhear you giving out your credit card details by phone, watch you tap them in to a terminal, even go through your garbage cans to find the information they're looking for.

What does identity theft mean?

Don't fall victim to the latest crime wave that's sweeping the country.  Thieves targetting your personal data for financial gain can

Criminals can access your personal information by rooting through your waste bins, listening to phone conversations, accessing your information via the internet and on rare occasions have even been known to access confidential information held on "secure" company databases.

How often does internet identity theft happen?

By all accounts, if it happens ONCE to you, that's too often. 

The statistics on internet ID theft are that over 9 million people in the US alone are targeted by criminals who steal their identity for fraudulent purposes.  That represents one in four households in a period of five years.

Experts estimate that a victim can spend anywhere from six months to two years recovering from identity theft.

Can I protect myself from ID fraud?

Recovering from or preventing ID theft & financial fraud can be made easier by the creation of a worksheet detailing important information about your credit cards, bank details, passport numbers & other essential information.

This worksheet should contain details of your card accounts, card numbers and expiry dates, and help line numbers in case of theft.  You should also record your passport, driving licence and social security numbers. 

Often you will be offered the opportunity to pay a small annual sum to protect your bank and credit cards - this enables you to make one phone call as soon as you realise that you are an unwitting victim and all your cards will be stopped.  If you are concerned, contact the issuer of your credit cards for further advice.

Many businesses make use of document shredding services for confidential information about their employees and their business.  For personal use, purchasing a paper shredder which you use for all personal documents is a first line in defence.

Never give out your personal information (passwords, credit card or bank details) to anyone over the phone or to an "urgent" email from your bank requesting you input your security information - legitimate businesses will never do this and will always be happy for you to wait and confirm their identity.  A common method of doing this is "phishing" where someone impersonates a legitimate business by email - at present eBay and Bank customers in particular should be aware that there are many "fake" emails circulating that urge you to immediately input your personal details or face closure of your account.

How can I prevent identity theft?

Always:-

• shred documents and paperwork which contain personal information
• user firewalls, anti spyware and anti virus on your computer
• keep your personal information in a secure place
• read your bank and credit card statements and query any discrepancies
• report any problems immediately

Never:-

• give out personal information unless you know who you are dealing with.
• click on links in unsolicited emails; instead, type in the website address which you already know
• use obvious passwords like your date of birth or your mother's maiden name

Identity Theft - PayDotCom