How Can I Avoid Identity Theft?
You become a victim of identity theft when someone obtains your identifying information, such as name, address, date of birth, social security number, and/or your mother’s maiden name, and uses it illegally. This information can be used to open bank accounts in your name or empty your current bank account(s), apply for and receive loans, purchase cars or other items, and open credit card accounts. Identity theft has become a common occurrence in recent years. You can never guarantee that your identity will not be stolen; you can, however, take precautions to prevent this information from being readily available. In the following paragraphs, we have outlined the warning signs and protection methods for preventing identity theft. We also explain the steps to follow if you do ultimately become a victim of this crime.
Identity theft is a frightening prospect, but there are steps you can take to lessen your risk of falling victim to it. One of the best ways to avoid identity theft is to keep your Social Security number private. Don’t give the number out unless you have to and you know who you are giving it to. Always ask if you can give other information instead, or possibly just the last four digit of your Social Security number. If an identity thief gets your Social Security number, it is very easy to open credit card accounts — and worse — in your name. An easy way to avoid identity theft is to invest in a shredder. A lot of sensitive personal information can be found in someone’s trash. Bills, receipts, bank statements, or loan applications can be used to steal your identity. Make sure you shred anything with your Social Security number, and never carry your Social Security card in your wallet. Change passwords and PINs frequently to help avoid identity theft. Make sure you don’t use passwords or
• Dont throw credit card applications you dont want into the trash. Cut them into several pieces, or shred them, so no one can retrieve them and apply for credit in your name. • Safeguard your Social Security number at all times. You generally have to provide it to your employer or your bank, but if a business wants it, ask why its needed and how it will be used before you give it out. There probably is no legitimate reason for any business to need your Social Security number. Never give it or your drivers license number to anyone who calls you on the phone or contacts you online saying they need this information to verify your identity. • Never give personal or financial information over the phone or the Internet unless you initiated the contact. • If you apply for our federal student aid programs over the Internet, do so at the Department of Educations www.fafsa.ed.gov, or through www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov which are official U.S. government Web sites that are safe and protected fr
Q I had my handbag stolen on Christmas Day at a motorway service station. There wasn’t very much cash in it and I immediately cancelled my credit and debit cards, but the bag also contained my house keys, address book and various other documents, possibly including letters from utility companies and banks etc. Is there anything I need to do to discourage or uncover identity theft should it happen? Should I contact the main credit reference agencies, for example? I do not run a business, but I am a homeowner and also have a buy-to-let property. MG A First of all, I hope the louse who stole your handbag had a totally miserable Christmas, and that you didn’t let this nasty experience spoil your own. If there is a chance that anything in your bag contained your home address and/or the address of your buy-to-let property, I would urge you to get both sets of locks changed, if you haven’t done so already. It’s not impossible that the thief might try the keys at your home address, unless it i
How Can I Avoid Viruses, Trojans, Worms and Spyware? Use anti-virus software: Install anti-virus software on all your desktops and servers, and ensure that they are kept up to date. New viruses can spread extremely quickly, so have an updating infrastructure in place that can update all the computers in your company seamlessly, frequently, and at short notice. Run email filtering software at your email gateway as well, in order to protect your business from the threats of email-borne viruses, spam and spyware…
