How to Guard Against Identity TheftThese are ways for you to increase your privacy and avoid being victimized by identity fraudsters. Be extremely cautious about giving out your social security number to others. Don’t give it out unless you are certain that it is for a valid reason. Do not carry your social security card with you in a purse or wallet. Do not write it down carelessly on a notepad or organizer that can get lost or be read by others. If your driver’s license number happens to be the same as your social security number, take steps to have your license number changed. Do not put either number on your personal checks. Make sure your social security number is not publicly visible on your employee ID or similar ID cards and badges. If you have to orally give out your social security number or other sensitive information to someone else, take note of your surroundings and watch out for anyone who may be trying to eavesdrop or seems suspicious--especially people taking videos or carrying recording equipment. Be careful with your documents, especially those relating to your bank accounts and credit cards. Never simply toss out information concerning your bank account, credit card account, or employment record. Always shred or crosscut such documents before you throw them in the trash. You should also shred any pre-approved credit offers you receive in the mail, before disposing of them. Never access your bank account or online store account at any public-access computer, one at an Internet café, for example. If you log in to your email or MySpace account on a public terminal, always log out after you complete your business. Make sure that you do not use the same password on different accounts. Be wary of unknown websites that want you to provide sensitive information such as your credit card details. Some adult web sites are actually masquerades for fraudulent “phishing” schemes that seek to steal people’s identities. Personal information including your account usernames and passwords can be stolen through malicious software programs known as spyware. To prevent such an occurrence, you need to install a firewall program on your computer to guard against any illicit intrusion while you are online. You also need to have good anti-spyware and anti-virus. Make sure that your web browser, firewall, and anti-spyware software are kept up-to-date with the latest software upgrades and patches. Modify your web browser security settings to medium or high. There are some malicious websites, called phishing sites, which can steal your information when you visit them, if your browser is set to a low security setting. Never open unsolicited emails from unknown addresses, but delete them immediately without reading them. Be aware that email addresses can be spoofed, making a fraudulent email appear to come from your friend, your place of work, or a trusted web site like PayPal or eBay. If an email seems suspicious, ask your friend about it first to make sure he or she sent it before clicking on any links that appear in the message.
To Be Continued Click Here To Read More
How To Fight Back Against Identity Fraud The Facts About Identity Theft How Does Identity Theft Happen What Steps Can You Take To Prevent Identity Fraud |
Site MenuMore Articles
|
| © 2010 Identity Theft | |