simple steps you can take to prevent online identity theft

What You Can Do To Prevent Identity Theft
By Jon Arnold

The small steps you need to take to make yourself a less likely target for identity theft are a no-brainer tradeoff to the amount of personal time it will take you to straighten out the mess that will be present if you are a victim.  Follow these steps starting today and don't make yourself an easy target.
 

A one hundred percent foolproof method of preventing identity theft does not exist and probably never will.  But you absolutely need to take some safeguards that if nothing else, will not make you an easy target to becoming a victim of identity theft.  ID theft is not pleasant, and if it occurs to you, you will end up spending countless hours of time for months to get it corrected, possibly also including some respectable legal fees, not to mention the damage to your reputation and credit report, so while the safeguards may be inconvenient, they are well worth your time to implement.

Many people would think that some sort of email or computer-based solution is the best place to start, but in reality, a large percentage of identity theft is accomplished with nothing more than a watchful eye and some sticky fingers.  Identity theft has become an all too common problem in the last couple of years, and is said by multiple studies to be one of the fastest growing crimes of this decade. 

Be fully aware that identity theft is not limited to your Internet or surfing activities.  In fact, studies have shown that people who routinely use services like online banking and online bill paying services (from reputable sites) are actually found to be LESS likely targets for this, since people who use such services are more careful with their personal identification information than Joe Average.

Basically what happens is simply that someone gets some of your personal information, enough so that they can open accounts, get credit cards or loans, and open those accounts in your name, obviously without your knowledge of it.  Think about it, what information is required to open a department store credit card or apply for a Visa or Mastercard?  Name, address, phone number, social security number or drivers license number.  With people moving around today, with other information intact, many credit issuers will not have a problem with a new account application showing a different address and different phone number than what the credit bureau reports.  This is especially true because it is well known that credit bureau information is not very accurate, and in fact, the majority of consumers have ERRORS in their credit reports.

Keeping a close eye on your credit report should also be a part of your routine, making sure the information there is accurate, especially knowing that it probably is NOT accurate and will not get changed unless you initiate the change.  For more information about winning your disputes with the credit bureaus and improving your credit score, you may wish to visit [http://www.credit-help-center.com]Improving Your Credit Score for more detailed information.

So you only find out that you have become a victim of identity theft because some creditor that you have never heard of is calling you at work to ask when you intend to start making payments on your account.  What a rude surprise!

The moral of the story is to be extremely careful with your personal information.  This is particularly true of government issued identification numbers such as your driver's license number and your social security number.  How frequently do you get offers in the mail about being pre-approved for a new credit card?  If you are like most people, you probably get several of these every month.  What do you do with them?  Do you simply throw them in the trash, perhaps ripping them in half first?  Most people do exactly that, but the information is still very readily available to anyone who has the inclination to go through people's trash looking for exactly this type of information.  You will probably never get away from the junk mail, but for under $50, you can get a paper shredder at virtually any office supply store, and then put those offers through that shredder.

Anything you can do to safeguard your personal information makes it far less likely that you will become a target for identity theft.  When you think of the small investment in a shredder and the bit of extra time to ensure that you properly dispose of such information, compared against the MONTHS of personal time required to straighten out a mess if you are a victim, the tradeoff is more than worth it.

Jon is a computer engineer who maintains web sites on a variety of topics based on his knowledge and experience. You can read more about Preventing Identity Theft at his web site at Prevent Identity Theft [http://www.identity-theft-info.com/].

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?What-You-Can-Do-To-Prevent-Identity-Theft&id=457302] What You Can Do To Prevent Identity Theft

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Preventing Identity Theft - What You Need to Know
By Colin McDougall

Identity theft is one of the fast growing crimes in America today. It is difficult to catch identity thieves since they are lurking everywhere. You must take action to protect yourself on a daily basis from this crime. Here we have provided you with tips to prevent yourself from becoming a victim.

The following scenerio happens to millions every year. You have built up years worth of good credit history and you are shocked when you receive a call from a credit card company demanding that you pay past due accounts for purchases you didn't make.

You argue that it wasn't you but to no avail, your credit rating is damaged and it can take you years to get it back into good standing. This is the reality of the victims of identity theft.

Identity theft is a growing problem for both financial institutions and consumers alike. There are two types of identity theft; the first type occurs when a thief manages to acquire your SSN number and other pertinent information and actually opens up new accounts registered in your name. This type of theft is the more difficult one to detect as statements from the fraudulent accounts are mailed to the impostor and not you.

The second type of theft occurs when a thief gets a hold of you account information and empties as much of your money from your bank accounts as they can and rack up your credit cards as fast as they can before you find out. This type of theft is usually detected by the victim when they receive and review their monthly bank and credit card statements.

Although there is no way to prevent identity theft there are steps that you can take to make yourself less vulnerable to such attacks.

Protect access to personal Information

1. Do not carry your SSN card in your wallet unless you need it that day.

2. Do not carry any ID such as your birth certificate or passport unless it is required to do so that day.

3. Do not carry extra credit cards that you rarely use.

4. Contact credit-reporting bureaus and remove your name from their marking call lists. This will reduce the number of pre approved credit offerings that you will receive. Thieves intercept these cards in the mail, and activate them.

Restrict The Use of Your Social Security Number

Your Social Security number (SSN) should be guarded at all times. If a thief obtains this number they would gain access to all of your banking and credit card information.

1. Be wary of application forms that require your SSN. Ask if you can provide alternate information such as your driver's licence number. Find out what their policy is on guarding the information that they are requesting. If possible ask to speak with someone in charge and discuss your concerns with releasing your SSN. If they don't answer your questions to your satisfaction then avoid doing business with them.

2. Avoid carrying your SSN card with you in your wallet. Take it out of safe keeping only when you know that you are going to need it that day.

3. When using checks to make a purchase or when cashing a check do let the merchant write your SSN on the check. Once the check is out of your site anyone can copy it.

4. If possible it is best that you commit your SSN to memory.

5. Do not have your driver licence number or SSN printed on your checks.

Creating and Protecting Pins and Passwords

1. Most people use their mother's maiden name a pet's name their birth date or consecutive numbers when creating personal identification numbers (PINS). This is a common mistake as thieves are schooled in the art of finding out such information about their victims.

2. Use the first letters of the names of your favorite songs or the first initials of your favorite high school teachers, something that is easy to remember but difficult for someone to anticipate.

3. Commit your PIN number to memory. If your purse or wallet is stolen thieves are sure to find it if you have it written down inside somewhere.

4. Be sure to cover the ATM keypad with your hand to prevent someone from looking over your shoulder and prevent video cameras from being able to record your PIN.

Protecting your Credit Card Numbers

1. Never leave your credit card receipts at a business, always take them with you. Be sure to place them in your pocket or in your purse or wallet. Don't leave them in the bag and make sure they don't go into a public garbage container.

2. Keep a watchful eye on how a teller swipes your credit card. Be sure that it isn't swipe on two separate processing machines. Thieves pay dishonest store clerks to record customer credit card information on skimming machines.

3. Don't carry more credit cards than you require for that day's worth of transactions.

4. Make photocopies of you credit cards in a safe place in your home. If your credit cards are stolen you can quickly and report the numbers to the credit card companies.

5. If you are expecting a new credit card in the mail be sure to notify the credit card company if it is late arriving to you.

6. Monitor your monthly statements for any unrecognized purchases.

7. At least once year obtain a copy of your credit report.

8. Shred all credit card statements before disposing of them in your household garbage. Thieves can gain access to your garbage at the curb or at the dump.

Internet Safety

1. Only use websites that provide secure transaction protection.

2. Beware of phoney websites also known as "phishing sites" they will look as if they are from your bank or other legitimate sites such as ebay. They will send you an email requesting that you respond to them.

3. Make sure that you install a firewall to prevent intruders from entering your hard drive and stealing your credit information.

4. Make sure that you have virus protection and keep it updated to keep your information safe from be sent out in a corrupt email program.

5. When disposing of an old computer use a program specifically designed to remove all of your old files. Deleting them will not be good enough to remove them from your hard drive.

Colin McDougall is the editor in chief for the website [http://www.crediteria.com/]Crediteria.com. The site is devoted to helping consumers with all financial matters including the prevention of identity theft. Idenitity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the country and you need to ensure you protect yourself starting today.

Read our review of an identity theft prevention service, Lifelock [http://www.crediteria.com/IdentityTheft/LifeLock.htm], that millions of Americans use everyday to protect their good name.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Preventing-Identity-Theft---What-You-Need-to-Know&id=957540] Preventing Identity Theft - What You Need to Know

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Ways to Prevent Identity Theft by Credit Card
By Travis Stone

One of the greatest fears that many people have is that they'll become a victim of identity theft. Most people just have the "oh, well, it won't happen to me" attitude. For 1 out of every 5 people, that's the wrong attitude to take. Which one of those five are you? The most common type of identity theft is credit card fraud, usually through account takeover. In this type of crime, the thief gains access to a credit card and then, quite simply, starts making purchases with it.   

What makes this type of fraud an identity theft is that often the perpetrator will call the credit card company, bank, etc. and attempt to gain more information about the account's owners using a technique called "fishing."   With this technique, which is old hat among private investigators, the thief poses as the account's owner and attempts to change the account information, upgrade the account for more credit, make a cash withdrawal, or otherwise manipulate the account. With enough information, many thieves can use one account to get into several more. A debit card could lend access to checking, savings, and even mortgage accounts through the bank.  

Most banks and institutions have safeguards in place to prevent this total takeover of one of their customer's accounts, but the best prevention is to stop the thief before he can attack to begin with. To do that, you need to follow these 10 ways to prevent identity theft by credit card. Most of them are easy, no-nonsense security measures that you likely already take everyday as a part of your lifestyle. Others are just small habits you need to practice to ensure your credit's safety. 

#1: Carry Fewer Cards

Sounds pretty simple, but it's amazing how many people walk around with five, ten, or more credit and debit cards in their wallets. This is excessive and is tantamount to wearing five pounds of gold and diamond jewelry. Eventually, someone will decide to mug you. The more cards you're carrying, the easier it will be for a thief to take over your identity and fleece you for all the money they can. Reduce the number of cards that you carry to two. If at all possible, do not use a debit card at all as they're the easiest to use by thieves to get cash quickly and easily. 

#2: Watch Your Card

When you use your card at a store or restaurant where it's handed to an employee or waiter to process for you, keep your eye on the card at all times. Never let the employee walk away with your card and then come back later. It's not as uncommon as people might think for people like this to take advantage of their situation to copy card information or do a "false swipe" into a reader to record the information for later retrieval.  

#3: Never Use a Debit Card Online

When you shop online, never use a debit card attached to your bank account. No matter where your shopping is taking place, debit cards are the primary target of thieves. Instead, use a closed account like a pre-paid card, a credit card (they're better protected), etc. Companies like PayPal and others that offer cards that are separate from your checking account are popular choices.  

#4: Keep A List of Cards

Keep a detailed list or photocopy of all of your cards (front and back). Know the account numbers, expirations, phone numbers for reporting, etc. Keep this list is a very safe and secure place in your home or bank. If your wallet is stolen, your house robbed, or you otherwise have one or more cards stolen, this list could mean the difference between a few minutes to report the theft and a few hours while you find the information and the thief goes on a shopping spree... on you.  

#5: Keep Your Social Security Number To Yourself

Don't ever give out your Social Security or account numbers on the phone or through the mail if you aren't 100% sure that the person you're talking to and the business they represent is legitimate. When in doubt, don't give it out! If a business calls you, say the utility company, and asks for personal information for identification, tell them you'll call them back. Use the phone number in the phone book or printed on one of your bills to call them-not a number the person on the phone gave you. This verifies that the person is who they say they are and eliminates "fishing." 

#6: Keep Your Receipts

When you make purchases by credit or debit card, keep your receipt. Do not throw it away in a public trash container or even in your home garbage can without first marking out the account number or shredding the receipt. Most stores now print only the last four or five digits of your account to protect the information, but you only know if they did when you look to see that they did!  

#7: Do Not Write Numbers on Checks

When paying bills, DO NOT write your credit card (account number) on a check when paying the bill. If the check falls into the wrong hands, a thief now has two ways to take advantage of you (check plus card). Checks preprinted with your driver's license number are also a bad idea.  

#8: Watch the Mail

When a new card or fresh checks are coming, make sure you know when they're expected and are there to receive them. Better yet, have them sent to a secure box like a PO box or similar. 

#9: Read Your Account Statements

Read your account statements thoroughly and every time they come to you. Some thieves (especially online) will steal a card number, use it once, and then forget it. This results in the much lower likelihood of them being caught. Many of the frauds never even get noticed as account holders often look only at the "total owed" line on the account and don't read through line items. 

#10: Order a Credit Report

Order a credit report from the three bureaus yearly (at least). They are required by law to give you one free report per year, so take advantage of it. Read through it and make sure that there are no credit accounts you are unaware of, no claims on your file that you didn't authorize, etc.

Hopefully, these ten ways to prevent identity theft will help you keep yourself and your credit safe. They are simple things that require little effort on your part, but can greatly impact your chances of being targeted for identity theft.

For more information on protecting yourself in the real world as well as online just click this link - Avoid Identity Theft [http://identity-theft-pro.com/]

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?10-Ways-to-Prevent-Identity-Theft-by-Credit-Card&id=2107258] 10 Ways to Prevent Identity Theft by Credit Card

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Online tips for preventing Identity theft

How to Prevent Identity Theft - Some Tips
By Sonali Bose Sengupta

Your identity is one of the most important personal possessions that you have. You may not realize or even be aware of it, but protecting your identity from unscrupulous identity thieves should be the top priority for you. More than 10 million Americans fall prey to identity theft annually, and by the time they realize it, they lose a lot of money and their credit standing, not to mention the hassle, shock and bother that go with it.


Identity thieves are on the prowl to get hold of various kinds of personal information like the Social Security numbers, bank account or email id passwords and a host of other data that could be of use to them in a plethora of fraudulent ways. Prevention is better than cure. Being armed with information and taking precautionary measures is a sign of prudence.


Here are a few tips to help you prevent identity theft:


·Social Security Number: Preserving your social security number is of prime importance as it is the primary source for your credit report. If this gets into the hands of identity thieves, they can use it to open and operate accounts under your name with disastrous consequences for you. Be careful never to leave your social security card carelessly about. It's better not to take it out in your wallet each time you go out, unless it is absolutely necessary. Storing it under lock and key or in a safe deposit box is actually a great idea.


·Online Transactions and Passwords: A lot of transactions, including banking transactions, are conducted by individuals online nowadays. Whether it is making a payment online, booking airline and travel tickets or making online purchases, online transaction modules have brought in great convenience and flexibility for consumers. However, indiscreet and careless use of online transaction portals is a huge source of identity theft. 'Phishing' is an online phenomenon where online fraudsters ask for your personal information, user ids and passwords, posing as genuine online portals. Once you part with this information, the mischief begins. To prevent these:


o Be careful not to click on pop-up ads and spam mails.


o Use firewalls, anti-virus and anti-spyware to secure online transactions.


o Ensure that online transactions are logged out of and any online shopping is done through secure and genuine vendors only.


o Hold information on your ids and passwords very close to your heart. Do not use your name or birth date as passwords as these can be easily hacked into. Make passwords a little complex, using alphanumeric characters. Never keep PIN numbers strewn about your house carelessly.


o Do not pass on sensitive information related to your ids and passwords even to your family members or close friends unless it's critically vital.


·Mailboxes: While it's best to have a dedicated post office box, it may not always be feasible. If you have an ordinary mailbox, remove mail and documents regularly. All personal mails with PINs, Social Security numbers or passwords must be shred finely and disposed of carefully so that identity thieves may not get hold of it. When you are away, ask the post office to hold your mail.


·Credit Cards: Be very careful about user ids and passwords or PINs. Any document with credit card PIN information must be finely shred and discarded. Also, ask for and scan credit reports regularly to detect any misuse or fraud. In any case, the moment you suspect any foul play involving your credit card, ask the issuing authority to freeze the credit or put it on a fraud alert. This will prevent any wrong use of the card. If the statements are delayed, check the same because the thieves may have altered the address.


·Personal belongings: When you are required to carry your wallet or handbag with the social security number or credit cards, be extra careful that your pocket is not picked or your wallet is not lost. Not everyone who picks up your wallet or handbag may have enough integrity to return it. So if it gets into wrong hands, your liability will not be limited only to the money you had in the wallet or handbag.


·Phone calls: Beware of crooks who may call you under assumed identities asking you for information pertaining to your identity. So not give out your credit information carelessly.


·Charities: Genuine charity organizations will provide you brochures and information. So, you need not worry about any information that you provide. Be wary of charities with suspect credentials that ask you for some identity related information.


·Identity Coverage: You can consider identity theft coverage programs like Identity Guard or Lifelock to help protect your identity and prevent hassles and bother in case your identity information security is ever compromised.


Preserving your identity is not only important, but also critical. You just cannot let your identity security and confidentiality be compromised. A few precautions as mentioned here could go a long way in preventing identity theft. Be safe, be secure!

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Prevent-Identity-Theft---Some-Tips&id=2253218] How to Prevent Identity Theft - Some Tips

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ways you can avoid becoming online identity theft victim

Ways to Prevent Identity Theft
By Ryan Franklin

Over the past five years 27 million United States citizens have become victims of identity theft. That means that nearly 10% of the total population has been a victim of this crime. An identity thief can strike anyone at anytime. If you think it could never happen to you then you are exactly the type of mark these criminals are looking for.

With all the new technologies available it is incredibly easy for someone to get your information, if they want it. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to prevent identity theft. 

Read Our Cybersecurity and Cybersafety Guides Here. 

Prevent Identity Theft by Protecting Your Trash

While most people are concerned about protecting their information from the high tech identity thieves, there are still many that practice the technique called "dumpster diving". If you just throw away important statements and documents you might as well be handing the criminals your ID on a silver platter.

You should invest in a high quality crosscut shredder. Put every document that has even the smallest bit of personal information through your shredder before you trash it. This includes bank and credit card statements, old bills, credit card offers, and ATM receipts, and even simply documents with your address on them.

Prevent Identity Theft by Protecting Your Mail

Many people go out of their way to shred their mail, but they do not even think about someone stealing their identity from the mail in their mail box! Stolen mail is one of the main ways that criminals can get your information. If you leave important documents in your outgoing mail, they can simply open up your box and take it. The criminal will surely thank you for not making them go through your trash to get that info.

When you are mailing out important information (such as bills or applications) drop them off at the post office, instead of leaving them in your mail box before you go to work. That little red flag you put up tells any crook that there is something good inside. When you go out of town have your mail stopped, and never leave mail in your mailbox overnight.

Prevent Identity Theft by Protecting Your Computer

This is the area people worry about the most. We hear a lot about how easy it is for hackers to steal all our information, and how it is unsafe to use credit cards online. The truth is, the internet is probably the safest place for your information if you apply the proper precautions.

I feel safer using my credit card online than I do in the store. Reputable online stores provide secured check out pages that encrypt your personal information. Also, unlike using your card in person there isn't anyone looking at your card (or making a physical copy) that you need to worry about.

Every computer connected to the internet needs to have a high quality internet security system. These programs are constantly updated and do a good job of protecting you from anyone trying to make an assault on your information. Do not skimp on this purchase and make sure you program is constantly update.

Prevent Identity Theft by Protecting Your Information

If you are quick to give away your private information then none of these other tips will matter. Keep your private information a secret unless it is absolute necessary to give it out. Fake phone surveys are an easy way for a thief to easily get you to hand over private info.

If you get a letter or email that looks to be from your bank, asking to give someone a password or other information always be skeptical. Many crooks will doctor up documents or websites that look official, just to steal your information. It is always better to be too cautious than too loose with your private information.

Prevent Identity Theft With Identity Insurance

While all the above tips are a great start for stopping an identity thief, the truth is it might not be enough to stop a determined criminal. The thieves are getting smarter everyday, and law enforcement is still 10 years behind in protecting you from this crime. Some companies have seen the need for this sort of protection, and have gotten into the identity insurance business.

Read Our Cybersecurity and Cybersafety Guides Here. 

For only the price of a movie ticket each month you can be sure that your good name will be safe. This protection is even backed by a $1,000,000 guarantee. If you would like to sleep easy at night knowing you and your family are safe from identity theft just Click Here>> [http://www.squidoo.com/identityinsurance]Identity Insurance.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?5-Ways-to-Prevent-Identity-Theft&id=1628897] 5 Ways to Prevent Identity Theft

 

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Identity Theft of the Deceased? Steps You Can Take to Prevent Identity Theft of Deceased Family
By Frank Cseke, Esq.

I have seen an 5-year-old's identity used by criminals for financial gain, and I have seen an 85-year-old's used for the same - I have also seen someone no longer living whose identity was stolen to use for criminal purposes. All of these were unfortunate and taxing on the families dealing with the victimization of a loved one by identity theft. However, I feel the "grave robber" identity thief scenario to be one that is somewhat more disturbing; one who steals certainly stoops to a low level, but robbing the dead takes on another baseless level of moral turpitude. In any event, identity theft in particular is highly troubling to many because of the feeling of helplessness as far as preventing it from occurring, whether for the living or the deceased.

Specifically, I would like to examine the identity theft of a deceased family member. Regardless of the fact that one is deceased, postmortem identity theft injures the living, especially dependents who are relying upon the estate for their support. As such, clients who have contacted me for assistance in the probate process, usually the personal representative, want to know everything they can do to preserve the estate's assets. With equal importance to some of the other financial affairs, preventing identity theft of the deceased person is on the list of "items to do" - when one dies, they are unfortunately exposed to the public record as a deceased individual thus making them a more unique and vulnerable target by identity theft criminals.

It is a good idea to follow these steps you can take to prevent identity theft of a deceased family member:

(1) Consolidate and collect all of the documents, financial and otherwise, belonging to the deceased. This may be an overwhelming task given what one can accumulate in a lifetime, but it is essential for the personal representative of the estate, or executor/executrix, for probate matters and the closing of the estate. Keep these in one, secure, place. By documents, collect also anything electronically stored including the devices storing such data, i.e. computers, disks, CDs, etc.

(2) Write discreet obituaries. Keep in mind, that anything you publish becomes both public and brings attention to the fact of the family member's death. As such, avoid writing anything that reveals too much about the deceased's background, occupation, names of spouses and parents, as these can be used by identity theft criminals to open accounts.

(3) Safeguard death certificates and store the original in your safe or deposit box. Also, send death certificates only to trusted institutions and give only to trusted individuals helping you. Therefore, by working with local tax professionals and persons assisting you in the probate and administrative process it can be less risky than those operating from a "remote" location. When the typical estate may need a dozen or so certificates one cannot be too careful with these.

(4) Give prompt notice to credit bureaus by contacting Experian, 1-888-397-3742; Equifax, 1-888-766-0008; TransUnion, 1-800-680-7289. Moreover, send certified letters to them, logging all correspondence, including an explicit request not to issue credit and only to disclose information to the authorized person for the estate. At the same time request credit reports for closing accounts and notifying creditors.

(5) Do not forget to notify Social Security as well as all financial institutions and all entities doing business with the deceased. Accordingly, notify all banks, insurance companies, creditors and collection agencies if any, lien holders and mortgagors, lessors, debtors (including family members who owe money), etc. In addition, notify the Veterans Administration if they are a veteran and the Social Security Administration, the Department of Motor Vehicles, clubs and organizations or anything membership related, etc.

(6) Contact your attorney about destruction of documents. There is a point in time for probate, taxes and financial affairs, that the documents are no longer needed. When it comes time to destroy them do not just burn for shred them unless you are certain nothing can be salvaged. It may be worth looking into a local shredding company or have your attorney or accountant dispose of them.

(7) Be careful how you involve family members and how much information you give to them. To the dismay of many, a common identity theft situation can occur with a family member or friend. Watch closely those who may have felt unfairly treated in the probate process or held resentment against the deceased - scrutinize everyone, but use tact. It will be easier on you, and safer, to use one family member or friend to help you and disclose information. So, while unfortunate, guard information with family and friends, and be careful how you explain why and what you reveal.

The criminal intentions in identity theft of the deceased range from opening accounts to absconding with property. While it is a difficult time to deal with both the loss and matters following death, the stark reality is that when we die we become easier targets for identity theft, as is publicized by many police departments who educate the public on the issue. Information pamphlets can often be found through your local law enforcement agencies. Finding one of these can also help you learn more in general about preventing identity theft and what you can do if it ever happens. All in all, prevention requires more than just being cautious, education and up-to-date information are also critical.

Frank A. Cseke
Attorney at Law
Estate Planning,
Business Law,
Elder Law,
Wills and Trusts,
VA Assistance

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Identity-Theft-of-the-Deceased?-Steps-You-Can-Take-to-Prevent-Identity-Theft-of-Deceased-Family&id=3637941] Identity Theft of the Deceased? Steps You Can Take to Prevent Identity Theft of Deceased Family

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internet user guide towards preventing identity theft online

Ways to Prevent Identity Theft
By Max Fischer

In today's high-tech world, where everything from banking to communications to shopping happens electronically, identity theft has become a growing concern. Although everyone is at some degree of risk, there are some simple but important steps you can take to protect yourself and avoid problems in the future.

Read Our Cybersecurity and Cybersafety Guides Here.

What is Identity Theft?
Identity theft is a general term that comprises any unauthorized use of your personal information. This can mean theft and use of a credit card, or the unlawful use of your name, address, birth date, social security number, and personal passwords to access your bank account, rent or purchase an apartment or vehicle, or even to get a job.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received 161,819 identity theft complaints in 2002 - five times the number reported in 2000. And this number continues to grow. The FTC believes there were roughly 10 million identity theft victims in 2004, with total losses of $54 billion.

Some forms of identity theft directly involve money - namely, a thief who accesses your credit card or bank account - but others affect victims in more subtle ways that are more difficult to detect. For example, an offender might use your name and credit score (or other aspects of your personal history) to obtain a job, rent an apartment, or even secure a mortgage. This kind of identity theft can often go unnoticed for years, and is sometimes only detected after extensive damage has been done to the victim's name or credit rating.

Take Steps to Prevent Identity Theft
Even if you're careful about disclosing credit card numbers and other personal information, your identity can be perpetrated by low-tech tactics, such as:

An employee in a store or restaurant watching over a customer's shoulder as they enter the access code for a debit or credit card
A thief slipping into a neighborhood and stealing a credit card bill, phone bill, bank statement, or other financial documents from mailboxes or garbage cans
A telephone caller posing as a representative from your bank or phone service provider, requesting personal information "to confirm your identity"

Be sure to take the necessary precautions to protect your personal information - especially when it's on paper! Below are some recommended safety measures:

Keep sensitive personal documents, like your birth certificate, passport, Social Security cards, and credit cards, in a home safe or safety deposit box when you aren't using them.

Avoid sharing personal information online. Even innocuous details, like posting your full name and birth date on social networking sites such as Facebook or giving out your home or business telephone number, can be dangerous in the hands of an identity thief.

Avoid giving personal information to anyone who claims to be calling from your phone provider or banking institution - instead, ask if you can take down their number and call them back, after verifying that the call is valid.
Shred or tear up credit card bills and other receipts before putting them in the garbage or recycling bin.
Do not respond directly to emails that ask for personal information. If the sender claims to be your bank or another institution, contact the company directly to ask them about the email first.
Check your credit card and debit card accounts regularly for unusual charges, especially small ones (like a dollar or less) that may be thieves testing the waters.

When traveling, cut up hotel key cards when you check out - these cards may contain financial and personal information that can be accessed after you leave.
Check your credit report on an annual basis. You can obtain a credit report for free once a year from annualcreditreport.com

Consider using an identity theft service to help monitor the use of your information, especially if you have lost your wallet or have been the victim of home theft. The long-term effectiveness of these fee-based programs is yet to be determined, but may give you added- if not bullet-proof- protection.

If You Are a Victim of Identity Theft
Even the most careful consumers can find themselves targeted by cunning perpetrators. If you discover that you have been the victim of identity theft, there are three steps you should take right away:

Immediately inform your bank or credit card company if you have had checks stolen or if you see charges that you didn't make.

Report any theft of money or use of your identity to the police. Even if your local police will not be the ones to investigate the theft, documenting the crime right away will create a "data trail" that can protect you in the long run.

Report the problem to the government agencies responsible for helping victims of identity theft. These agencies can assist you in tracking down the perpetrator and reclaiming your stolen identity. In the U.S., begin by submitting a claim to the Federal Trade using the form on the FTC identity theft website.

Read Our Cybersecurity and Cybersafety Guides Here.

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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Ways-to-Prevent-Identity-Theft&id=3737487] Ways to Prevent Identity Theft

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Identity theft is becoming an increasingly frequent problem among people of all shapes, sizes, ages, and nationalities, who are living in locations spread across the world. The theft of one's identity is non-discriminating, as clever criminals find new and improved ways of profiting off of another's loss and misfortune.

In the end, a complete invasion of privacy often takes place, where identity thieves are able to drain entire bank accounts, steal credit card numbers, use driver's licenses to commit crimes; and steal important information from computers. To prevent identity theft, it is highly recommended to follow a few simple procedures to boost your protection level against such a widespread crime.

Identity theft criminals use a wide-range of techniques to steal private information for their own personal use and gain. One of the most talked about forms of identity theft is executed across the Internet, as individuals trick others into downloading a wide range of spyware, which is then used to transmit information stored on a computer. This may include the usernames and passwords associated with online banking accounts. With this information, a thief is then able to intercept bank transactions and steal money from unsuspecting victims.

In order to efficiently prevent identity theft, it is important for people to recognize all of the techniques a criminal may use. Some individuals steal postal correspondences and fill out credit cards under another's name. A stolen wallet also serves as the perfect gateway for thieves, as driver's licenses, credit cards, birth certificates, Social Security cards, job identification, and other photo ID are common tools of identity theft. There are even criminals who dig in dumpsters and garbage cans for discarded bank statements, credit card bills, and other identifying pieces of information.
To prevent identity theft, it is highly recommended to follow some of the suggestions listed below:

1. Prevent identity theft by installing an effective anti-spyware program that creates barriers between your personal information kept on your computer and third party intrusions.
2. Changing your passwords is often a good way to prevent identity theft because it is less easy for thieves to lock onto or guess frequent changes. It is also suggested not to use the same passwords. Also, it is not advised to select passwords that can be directly connected to you, such as your last name. Use passwords that contain both upper and lower case letters, as well as 1 or 2 numbers.
3. It is important to quickly remove mail from the mailbox, as criminals are known to forge signatures on credit applications. If you find you have stopped receiving mail, call the post office because someone may have signed a release for the forwarding of your mail to another location.
4. Over the telephone, you never know who is calling you; therefore never give your credit card number, Social Security number, or other personal information to an unsolicited caller.
5. Once you are done with credit card receipts, unused loan applications, and other paperwork containing personal information, tear them up or use a shredder so thieves rummaging through the garbage are unable to retrieve personal details.
6. Make it a habit to review your credit report and check for false accounts and other information. When you spot an error, you should immediately report it to the credit bureau.
7. Do not delay in reporting stolen credit cards.
8. You may prevent identity theft by carefully analyzing your credit card and bank statements to make sure there are no mistakes on your bills.
9. When a relative passes away, it is important to properly shred unused checks and other personal documents because identity thieves also take advantage of the misfortune of the deceased. Entire accounts have been wiped out, loans taken out in their names, and new credit cards issued. 
10. It is important to exercise extreme caution when dealing with PIN numbers, especially those attached to ATM machines. When these numbers fall into the wrong hands, individuals are able to withdraw money without being detected. It is suggested to memorize your PIN number and when you must write it down - never choose your card or leave the reminder in your wallet or purse. And never use your birthdate as your PIN, as that will be the first one that the thief will try.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Jon_Arnold/41272

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/652872

guide on how to prevent online identity theft fraud and scam

Prevent identity theft this holiday season by simply being smarter than your assailants. There is no better identity theft protection than education on the subject, and knowledge of the ways to keep you protected. Whether you're cruising Facebook or Twitter, or doing some holiday shopping online, it's always important to be aware of how to prevent identity theft.

How to Be Secured Online Here: CyberSecurity and CyberSafety Guide 

Here are a few little tips to help you prevent identity theft during this busy holiday shopping season:
Watch out for that keen eye that is just waiting to catch a glimpse of your pin number. Whether you are purchasing something with your debit card and entering your pin, or taking out cash to be a more responsible shopper, always be aware of your surroundings. This is the time of year when identity theft occurs nearly every minute around the nation, and if you can stay aware of your surroundings you will be one step ahead of the game.

Problem: Identity thieves glancing over your shoulder to see your pin.
Solution: Always cover or attempt to hide your pin number when entering it. It might look a little silly to some, and feel a little silly to others, but if you are in a sea of holiday shoppers waiting in line to take out cash or make a payment, you can never be too careful.

If you are using your debit and credit cards this holiday season, don't sign the back of the card. Yep, you heard me, don't sign the back of your card. To prevent identity theft you should write "please see ID" on the back of all of your cards. This will insure, hopefully, that as you checkout you will be asked for your driver's license. If they don't ask for your ID, be sure to tell management that there is sure to be an identity theft issue at their store.

Problem: Using debit and credit cards.
Solution: Always write 'please see ID' on the back of all of your cards.
Many of us take for granted the system of garbage pick-up that occurs throughout the nation. To prevent identity theft, it is crucial that you are aware of what you are throwing away, or recycling. Sure, it might make you feel wonderful to be helping out the environment by recycling all of your paperwork, invoices, and receipts. You should feel that way, however, you should also be shredding it all first. Many local areas will have shred-a-thons to help you get rid of all of that confidential information that absolutely anyone can see by digging through your trash. It may seem like a dirty job, but it is one of the most common ways that identity thieves will steal your information.

Problem: Tossing out receipts.
Solution: Use a shredder...always!
Everything is done over the internet these days. We'd rather talk to each other on Facebook and Twitter than meet face-to-face for some coffee. Complete strangers know more about us through our social updates than our own families do. Times certainly have changed, which is why you have to change your habits online. While we've talked about protecting your identity on social networks many times here, we also need to point out that it's imperative that you don't store absolutely everything on your computer.

If your computer is infected with a virus that was created by hackers and identity thieves, they can easily read your confidential information and use it to their advantage. In order to prevent identity theft on your computer, back up all of your personal information onto another hard drive that you can unplug. You can either purchase another small hard drive to use, or you may use a flash drive.
Problem: Computer viruses that can read your confidential information.
Solution: Store your personal information on another drive.

Lastly, and most importantly, check your bank statements and your credit reports frequently, especially during and just after the holiday season. This is prime time for identity thieves, and to prevent identity theft it's always best to stay on top of it. Know where you've spent your money, and know exactly how much you've spent. If there is something that doesn't look right or match up on your bank statement, don't hesitate to call them and discuss the problem. In most cases, they will be willing to work with you to figure out how that charge on your account came to be.
Problem: Reckless spending.

Solution: Always stay on top of your bank statements, and keep all receipts until the statement and charge has cleared.

While these are just a few was to prevent identity theft, I hope that we've brought to attention the multitude of ways that identity thieves attempt to steal your personal information. This list could go on and on, and the only way to stay protected is to stay informed. If you want more information on how to prevent identity theft, visit http://www.idsafeusa.com for more information.

Kandice Day is the founder of http://www.LinwrightDesign.com, a content marketer and web designer.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Kandice_Day/478758

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Identity theft is a big crime in America. In 2003, the federal government passed the Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act. This created a new crime called "Aggravated Identity Theft" and empowered the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) with the authority to track the number of incidents and dollar value of losses due to identity theft.

These FTC studies have shown that pure identity theft (taking over someone's identity) have steadily been declining but that fraud complaints (partial identity theft) are on the rise. This means that the criminal element behind ID theft has switched from assuming someone's identity entirely to merely using enough of it to perpetrate fraudulent thefts through consumer credit and similar frauds.

It's estimated that identity theft is the fastest-growing white collar crime in the U.S. and that more than 8.5 million Americans fall victim to it every year. So, are there ways to prevent identity theft?
Yes, there are lots of ways to prevent identity theft. We'll look at the "big 3" that are most recommended as minimum safeguards against becoming a victim of this crime. Most ID theft experts list these three things as the bare minimum every American should be doing to protect themselves.

#1: Watch Those Websites
The first of our top 3 ways to prevent identity theft is learning what you should and shouldn't put into a website and what to look for to make sure it's safe. Most victims of credit card fraud and identity theft are initially targeted through Internet scams and websites. While shopping online is relatively safe, there are certain things you should always look for before you enter any information into an online consumer site.

First, know what site you're dealing with. If the site is a large, reputable company like Amazon or Sears, then you're on the way to verifying it's okay. Make sure that the URL (site address) begins with what you know is the company's real address. So if you're shopping on Amazon.com, make sure the website address is something like "http://www.amazon.com" or "https://www.amazon.com" so you know that you're really on Amazon's website and not a fake.

Next, look for the security seal on the site before you enter any information. When the site asks you for a credit card, checking account, or other information for payment (or personal information about you such as your social security number or driver's license info), make sure the transmission to the site is secure.

Do this in two ways: look for the "https" at the beginning of the site URL in your address bar-that "s" denotes "secure." Then look in the corner of your browser-usually to the bottom right-for a padlock that is closed, or "locked." This is the universal symbol for a secure connection.
Finally, if you have any doubts whatsoever about the website or its security, DO NOT give it any information. When in doubt, don't buy. Simple as that.

#2: Keep It Off the Phone
If you don't know who you're talking to, don't give out any useful information about your identity. That seems pretty simple, but it's amazing how many people will give out their mother's maiden name (a common "security question" for credit cards) or even Social Security number without much question.

"Fishing" is a form of building a profile for identity theft in which a criminal who has basic information (like a credit card number) will call to get enough information to take over the card and even take out new credit in the victim's name. The criminal will make phone calls pretending to be someone from the card company, one of the utilities, a bank, etc. and ask for information they need as if it were part of a customer service call. Many fall for this.

If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from a credit card, bank, or other company and they need identifying information from you, tell them you'll call them back through their recognized corporate number (which you will get yourself from a bill or the phone book). Tell them you don't give out personal information on the phone if you can't be sure who you're talking to. They should understand and wait for you to call them back.

This simple precaution can almost totally prevent your private information from being stolen. Simply because a criminal with a stolen credit card number only has one avenue to steal from you. A criminal with a stolen credit card and your personal information can wreak havoc on your entire credit profile and empty your bank accounts faster than you might think.

#3: Keep Them Safe
When you're at the store, in the mall, or when you park your car, keep your credit cards, identification, and other valuables safe. If you carry a wallet, keep it in a wallet near your body where you can feel it rather than in a purse. This makes it harder to steal. When you use a card, cover your hand while you enter the PIN number or make sure to give ID to the clerk (whether they ask or not) to remind them that the card could be stolen.

When you park your car to go into a store or your home, DO NOT leave your personal identification and credit cards behind! Take them with you no matter what. Even a one minute into the Post Office to grab your mail can result in your wallet or purse being stolen. It takes just a couple of seconds to open the car door or break the window and take your things.

Last but not least, if you have children, protect their Social Security numbers as you do your own. Just because they're children doesn't mean their SS numbers can't be used to take out credit!

Hopefully these three ways to prevent identity theft are enough to keep you from becoming a victim. Our lives are complicated enough without having to deal with ruined credit and months of work to clear your name from stolen credit. A few simple precautions could be the ways to prevent identity theft that keep yours safe.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Travis_Stone/251657

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Identity theft is a very scary thing and identity theft prevention is you're the only protection. If you're wondering what can I do, you'll find several different ways that you can prevent and protect yourself from identity theft and fraud. By creating a few proactive identity theft habits you will be able to protect yourself from becoming a victim of identity theft.

How to Be Secured Online Here: CyberSecurity and CyberSafety Guide

Everyone should be thinking about how they can prevent identity theft. There are various habits that can help you be proactive so you can help in the prevention of identity theft from occurring to you. It can be extremely frustrating and scary to have your identity stolen, but it can happen to almost anyone. There are many people that think identity theft is a result of the Internet; however, it has been around even before the Internet was in existence.

How to Be Secured Online Here: CyberSecurity and CyberSafety Guide

Many people who never use the internet for purchases suddenly find that they have become a victim of identity theft. The only defense that you have to combat this type of identity fraud is identity theft prevention. It is imperative that you try to prevent identity theft because you may not even find out that you have become a victim until months after the crime has happened. Identity thieves can open credit cards in your name, wrack up big bills, and they may even sell off your personal information as well. Once you become a identity theft victim it can take a great deal of time to repair your credit, and there is a big chance that the problem will follow you for years to come.

Tips and Ideas for Identity Theft Prevention

There are a variety of ways that you can prevent identity theft. If you feel this is a task you cannot undertake yourself you may want to hire a monitoring service to help you. Many of these services even have special services that can help you take the right actions if identity theft does occur and they can also help you begin repairing your credit as well. Having a service like this may help you find out about identity theft before it gets to bad. There are also a variety of things that you can do on your own to help prevent identity theft as well.

One important thing you should do is to copy everything that you have in your wallet. This will enable you to give authorities a quick report of what was in your wallet if it is stolen. Carrying your social security card or number in your wallet is something you want to avoid as well. The best way that you can get identity theft protection is to hire a company that will help you prevent fraud and protect your information. You can find some of these services for as low as $100 a year, and they can provide you with a safe and secure feeling.

Tips for Preventing Identity Theft

Tip 1 - Keep personal information secure and avoid giving it out.

Tip 2 - Keep you name off the marketing lists of the various credit bureaus.

Tip 3- Check your mail often and never let it sit around in your box or it may be stolen.

Tip 4 - Do not throw away your credit card receipts in a public trashcan.

Tip 5 - Make sure you check your credit report periodically.

Tip 6 - Buy encryption software to protect your emails.

Tip 7 - Review credit card bills and look for any charges you do not remember.

Tip 8- Shred paperwork that may contain your personal information.

It is important that you understand that identity theft can occur in various ways, and understanding these ways can help you be more aware of how important it is to protect your identity. If a thief is able to get a hold of your personal information, within a few hours they can rack up big bills on your credit cards and even take all the money out of your bank accounts. They may also be able to use your personal information to open up new credit accounts as well. Cell phones may also be purchased under your name and big bills racked up quickly in your name. They may also be able to have utilities set up under your name and even an apartment.

Checking and money market accounts could be set up in your name and then the thief could start to write bad checks as well. Worst of all, if you do not work at preventing identity theft, a thief can actually change the billing address on your accounts, and you may never realize that this is occurring before it is too late. If you are going to prevent identity theft, you need to be sure that you take proactive measure to protect your personal information. Criminals involved in identity theft are working all the time, so protect yourself and use identity theft protection to avoid being the next victim.

Daryl Plaza is a regular contributor to IdentityTheftFraudProtection.com an informational website created to help and educate you on how you can protect yourself and prevent identity theft from happening and you becoming a victim.

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how business owners can prevent identity theft

What Are Businesses Doing To Prevent Identity Theft?
By Ashley K

Read How to Prevent Identity Theft by Discovering the hackers behind Phishing e-mails and phone calls.

 

As the market is growing digitally, every company is stockpiling as much information related to customer as they can get and keeping their records in order to make their services and products better for their customers. But this has also given rise to the threat of identity theft especially to the business which accumulates customers' personally identifiable information (PII) - it includes credit card numbers, social security numbers, birth dates, addresses, etc. Since these data helps the business in crafting the sales strategies, especially of credit or loans, and in generating data related to employment. This collected information usually company stores in hard disks or maintain database over networks such as internet. All these information containers are vulnerable and malevolent hackers sometimes succeeds in stealing those private data and that leads to identity theft - a criminal activity that involves stealing of personal information to get the access of their financial accounts and using credit cards or take out loans etc.

Not only private companies suffer from such threats but several govt. offices also come under the same radar. Recently Numerous Chinese internet users turned to virtual private network or "VPN" services to shirk "Great Firewall of China" - designed by Chinese government to hinder citizens from accessing certain abhorrent websites that they reckoned objectionable. RSA Research has claimed Chinese hackers are using VPN services as a platform to launch cyber-attacks while covering the original identity of the attackers. RSA dubbed it as "Terracotta VPN." It is revealed that Terracotta VPN is mainly targeting compromised Microsoft Windows servers. The VPN service consists of over 1,500 virtual private network nodes - and the numbers are constantly adding - procured through vulnerable servers around the world.

However, US states have adopted several new laws to prevent these attacks, and private companies are investing additional efforts in order to make the data security system more strong, particularly smaller companies who previously don't have rigorous data security.

Before creating the security, it is necessary to know how thieves enter into business and steal the data. It is not a new idea for thieves to earn through identity theft scam, earlier they used to filch paper files and find the information after hours of working on them, but now internet has made all the work easy for them. Here are some ways by which data breach occurs:

Some even the best of the employees make mistake; after we're all bound to make mistakes. But mistakenly leaking data could have a huge negative impact for both the employee and the company. This usually happens when employees violate data security policies for some reason and fall victim to the fraudulent people. It can also be caused at the loss of a laptop that contains unprotected PII.

Another ways of data breach includes sending the data over email or saving it in flash drives and taking out of the premises. Most of the time hackers devise a false scheme such as phishing, spear phishing, and social engineering. Innocent employees fall prey to them and reveal company's PII key.

To Evade the Threat of Identity Theft Business have Adopted Several Methods That includes:

Encryption Technology: Most of the businesses have adopted encryption to prevent personal identity theft (PII). In this method technologies such as Secure Socket Layer (SSL) and its successor Transport Layer Security (TLS) are used to encrypt data. Not only the online transmitting data are saved by encryption but data saved on various hard drives such as disk, tape, CD-ROM, or any other storage device can be protected with this technology. The thing to be notice here is encryption technology don't fight or resist against the hackers, instead it will make the stolen data in the wrong hands of hackers useless. Following are the steps that several corporations have taken to secure the data with encryption.

Read How to Prevent Identity Theft by Discovering the hackers behind Phishing e-mails and phone calls.

 
First identify the significant data that require encryption. It can be PII or some other data that are helpful and confidential in the growth of business.


Once data has been identified, next step is to determine the expiration time of the data.


Find the best encryption technologies according to the requirement of the data.


Several companies have created new set of policies and procedures where the correct uses of encryption technologies are defined.


Installing and training users.


Reviewing Commercial Agreements: Companies are getting more involved in knowing the bank's policies; they are indulging deeply before making any agreement. This gives a significant support if there's any fraudulent activity.


Monitoring Thoroughly Business Accounts: Reviewing the business accounts frequently, and alarming on any suspicious transaction. Besides concentrating more on online banking only, and avoiding any paper details.


More Cautious of Phishing Scams: Companies are providing additional training to their employees in order to recognize the phishing scams.


In addition to these methods, several other strategies, simple yet effective, are also company has adopted to secure PII data includes:


Anti-virus and anti-spyware protection

Firewall protection

Updated browsers and other software with security patches


Acquiring all these technologies and providing training to their employees have raised the cost of the companies. And it is not one time investment, in fact it is process. With the passing time as technology is getting update, the companies, concerned about security of customer's PII, also need to update the technologies and knowledge of their employees by giving them training. Thus it is a constant process of investment. However, companies include the same cost into their products and services, the similar way as they include the marketing cost, and sell the products at higher prices. However, paying a little extra for the security is appropriate or not that depends on individual to individual.

Read How to Prevent Identity Theft by Discovering the hackers behind Phishing e-mails and phone calls.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?What-Are-Businesses-Doing-To-Prevent-Identity-Theft?&id=9286903] What Are Businesses Doing To Prevent Identity Theft?

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how you can prevent identity theft and be safe online

Find Out How To Prevent Identity Theft
By Jon Arnold

Read How to Prevent Identity Theft by Discovering the hackers behind Phishing e-mails and phone calls.

If you haven't done so recently, you should invest a minor bit of time and effort into getting yourself a copy of your credit report.  It is free once a year in most states, and you need to get a separate copy of it from each of the "big three" credit reporting bureaus, which are Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian.  Some creditors report to only one of them, some report to a couple of them, and some even report to all three of them.  The key point is that the data maintained by each one is not necessarily the same, and in fact, is probably vastly different.

Why is the data different?  With the hundreds of millions of credit reports that these companies need to maintain, errors are almost inevitable.  Interestingly enough, studies have shown that the MAJORITY of consumers have at least one or more inaccurate or erroneous piece of information in their credit report.  The scary part is that, contrary to popular belief, the errors will NOT be corrected automatically.  In fact, if you don't alert the credit bureau of the errors, then the errors will be carried forward with your record, year after year.

Please be aware that while identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes of this century so far, it is not limited to just online activities.  Granted, with the advent of the ease of shopping online and being able to purchase something at a great price with just a couple of mouse clicks is attractive for many, there are steps you should take to ensure that you have done everything responsible that you can do to avoid your information from getting into the wrong hands.  One of the first places to start is to get yourself a copy of your credit report, and look especially for accounts that you are not aware of, which is the first sign that you may be a victim of identity theft.

Online identity theft is a serious crime that can clean out your life savings and leave you with a damaged credit history that may take years to repair. Unless you're familiar with the person with whom you're dealing, or are filling out an official form for a legitimate personal or business purpose, information such as a social security number, bank account numbers, credit card numbers and other types of data that might have a bearing on your individuality should never be divulged. If you've ever used a credit card to order take-out food over the phone, you're leaving yourself wide open to identity theft.

Congress passed the Fair Credit Reporting Act several years ago in an attempt to smooth out some problems in the credit reporting industry. The presence of this alert requires any creditor to verify the identity of the borrower prior to granting credit in his or her name. If your credit report shows that you have a low score, lower than what you deserve, that can negatively impact a huge number of areas of your life.  You may want to visit [http://www.credit-help-center.com]Raise Your Credit Score for tips on how to improve your credit score.

When you travel, regardless of how you book your reservations, your personal information will still end up on the company's computer and stored in their databases. Many companies, including some large major corporations, do not protect your personal data the way they should.

Many people ignore the importance of protecting their personal and financial information against identity theft until they become a victim of it. The amount of goods and services purchased with fraudulently obtained personal identity was more than $50 billion dollars last year.

If you purchase merchandise online frequently, you may want to use a separate credit card that you obtain just for that purpose.  Always use ONLY that credit card.  For the junk mail that you receive regularly saying you are approved for a new credit card or mortgage loan, don't just simply throw it in the trash.  Instead, invest in a shredder and take the time to shred those letters.  Many cases of identity theft occur because the thief has gone "dumpster diving" to find those pre-approval letters, and opens an account in your name.

Jon is a computer engineer who maintains web sites on a variety of topics based on his knowledge and experience. You can read more at his web site at Preventing Identity Theft and Protecting Against Identity Theft [http://www.identity-theft-info.com].

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Find-Out-How-To-Prevent-Identity-Theft&id=424373] Find Out How To Prevent Identity Theft

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Identity Theft And How To prevent online identity theft: By Irem Bright C'mezie

Norton Security Deluxe - 5 Devices | PC/Mac Online Code [Online Code]

What Is Identity Theft And How To Avoid It?

Identity theft refers to impersonation of your personal data by antisocial elements who try to steal your money in some way or the other. The internet is such a great tool that simplifies our life but it has also its downside. At various points of time, we share important information online thinking that they are insignificant. Some of the details we share online without thinking of the consequences are our full name, phone numbers, residential address, your date of birth, work place address, credit card details, policy numbers, debit card information and other such sensitive data. 

These might look like bits and pieces of information and individually they may not have any special significance. However when they are compiled, one can easily reconstruct your profile and misuse it robbing you of your money. Identity theft has become a sort of institutionalized crime with people systematically working on stealing information. Identity thieves also use your profile in other situations such as fraudulent transactions, job applications, terrorist activities, fraudulent driving licenses etc.

Norton Security Deluxe - 5 Devices | PC/Mac Online Code [Online Code]

Ways to prevent identity theft

Are you scared to read about all these and wondering how to prevent identity theft? Here are few important tips that show you how to avoid identity theft. 

One of the important pieces of information that every identity thief will require is your social security number. You should not share your social security number randomly with people. Do so only when you think that it is necessary. It is not a good idea to carry your social security card in your wallet. It is also not a good idea to share them online. 

Norton Security Deluxe - 5 Devices | PC/Mac Online Code [Online Code]

Invariably, all of us use computers and use them extensively to shop online. Make sure that your computers are fully secured. You should have the latest or the most up to date antivirus program installed in your computer and it should be enabled all the time. Keep your firewalls in your computer turned on all the time. Do not forget to install anti-spyware program in your computer. 

These security measures will help you save you from identity theft and it will also prevent credit card theft. Another important factor to remember here with regard to credit card identity theft is that you should check your credit card statements carefully for purchases or expenses that you have not incurred.

It is also a recommended good habit to get your own annual credit report. This will help you keep a tab on your identity and if there is something wrong, you will be able to take immediate action to rectify the situation. 

Norton Security Deluxe - 5 Devices | PC/Mac Online Code [Online Code]

One of the major reasons for identity thefts is our own carelessness. We are reckless with our personal information. Basic precautions will go a long way in protecting your online identity and your credit card. Always access online shopping sites from a fully secured computer and use only trusted online stores to shop. Think twice before you share any sensitive personal information online.

Norton Security Deluxe - 5 Devices | PC/Mac Online Code [Online Code]