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Identity TheftIdentity Theft is a big and only getting bigger. It is a serious crime with serious consequences. Idenity theft occurs when your personal information is stolen and used without your knowledge to commit fraud. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) estimates that more than 9 million people have their identities stolen each year. That is an amazing number so the likelihood of you or someone you know having their identity stolen is far greater than we can imagine. Identity theft was the fastest growing crime in America for the seventh year in a row. The average victim of identity theft will spend hundreds of hours trying to fix the problem by calling credit card companies, banks, police and the credit bureaus repairing the damage. Throw in there lost time from work and family, it can ruin your life if you're not careful. I'm sure you have read or seen on TV the nightmare stories of this serious crime. Identity Theft is real, please be wary of anyone calling your home asking for personal information. If so, tell them that you will call them back. Check credit cards account information or call the three reporting agencies (see below) if you really feel that your identity has been compromised. Don't wait, it's better to be safe that sorry.
The Latest in Scams, Online Fraud and ID TheftThis is Scam, online fraud and ID theft at it's best. I read this in the March issue of Money magazine and decided to post the article here. Hackers have broken into customers' online brokerage accounts more in the past two years than ever before, according to the SEC. Such scammers sell the investments and wire the money; or they invest victims' cash in penny stocks they own to pump the value, then dump their holdings, leaving you with the worthless shares. Thieves have claimed victims at E-Trade, Fidelity, Merrill Lynch, Schwab and TD Ameritrade. The scariest part is that these firms are not required to reimburse you. Yikes!!! How is works: You log in to the brokerage website, and spyware captures keystrokes of your user name and password. Or you follow a false e-mail link to the sign-in page. How to stop them: Ask the brokerage whether it provides a key fob with a passcode that changes every few seconds and must be entered at log-in. These foil most spyware applications. Also don't check accounts on public computers. Keep personal computers updated with the latest virus signatures as well as updates to your operatiing system.
Things you Should SafeguardCredit Cards - Do not sign the back, instead put PHOTO ID REQUIRED Debit Cards - try to use cash whenever possible Social Security card - memorize it and keep it home Checks Books - Do not write the entire credit account number on check, instead write the last 4 digits of the account number Driver's License - Make a copy along with credit cards Bank Statements - File away in a folder and lock your file cabinet Retirement Account Statements - file and lock away Pin Numbers - Don't write them down anywhere instead develop some type of code to identify accounts Date of Birth/Birth Certicate - keep it locked in a safe Computer Passwords - Don't write them down, ever Pay Stubs - File and lock away with bank statements This one is big, place all your important cards in a photocopier and copy the front and back side of each card, take the copies and lock them in a safe. This way you have copies of everything in your wallet in case you need to call the card companies.
Methods Used By These Criminals:PhishingOnline fraud is everywhere. You have probably seen these types of e-mails from eBay, PayPal or a Bank asking to verify your account information by clicking on a link. The link will re-direct you to a rogue site. DON’T DO IT! since they have creative ways of setting up a mock website to resemble a legitimate one in order to capture your personal information. Always remember to look for the http(s) in the address bar of your web browser. The “s” stands for secure. A second thing to check on the site is the yellow padlock at the bottom right-hand corner. If you hover your mouse over it is will read “SSL Secured, 128 bit encryption”. Lastly, just look at the address in the address bar. Does it look strange, weird, to long or just not something that looks legitimate? If so, get out of there and close the window. Both Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer have these capabilities, but remember it is the site that needs to have the security implemented. Don't be a victim of online fraud.
Dumpster DivingThese criminals will go through your trash to grab anything they can get their hands on. They gather any information such as bank statements, passwords on post-it notes, canceled checks, trashed paid bills and almost anything you can imagine. Criminals know it and they'll go through great lengths to get a piece of your information. They know very well that people are safeguarding themselves against identity thefts, but you'd be surprise how many people still don't safe guard themselves from being a potential victim.
SkimmingThey use special equipment to get your credit card information when they swipe your card. Always be wary when using you credit and debit cards at restaurants, and other places where the person takes your card to pay your bill. Although it hasn't happened, it can happen and quite easily. Identity theft can ruin your finances and credit for a very long time. Safeguard your wallet, purse, laptop, pda's, etc. Password protect everything you have. Safe Guarding Your ComputerI work as an Information Technology Administrator. One of the most common questions I get asked is how to eliminate spyware from a computer. I tell them to wipe our the hard drive and re-install everything. That is the only guarantee you have that your computer is clean from spyware. Most software will work, but one really never knows for sure. Your computer once infected will never be the same. I tell everyone to keep their computers simple, don't download music players, games or any other software from sites that are not common or well known. Never ever go to a site via an e-mail link from an unknown source. If you do, you run the risk of your computer getting infected as well as your computer having some type of spyware installed with the capability of having your information stolen. Remember, don't keep passwords on a file that is not password protected. Protect all files that hold personal information in them. Keep your computer clean and simple and you'll benefit with years of unterrupted service. Be wary of of unsecured wireless networks, such as those in airports. Make sure you secure your wireless network at home with a password. Keep your Anti-Virus software updated as well as your anti-spyware updated. Use either Norton or Trend Micro. Also make sure that you use a firewall as well. Don't use obvious passwords such as date of birth, your mother's maiden name or the last 4 digits of your social security number.
What to do If your Identify Gets StoenContact all three credit reporting agencies immediately as well as the Social Security Administration so you can place a Fraud Alert on your credit. It is also recommended that you file an identity theft report with the local police department immediately since you may need prove that a crime was committed. Equifax: 800-525-6285 Call the credit card companies immediately to report the problem. Write down everything and keep records of each conversations, etc. By law you are eligible for a free credit report each year so please review it for any discrepancies. Visit any of the above credit reporting agencies for more information by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com or call them at 877-322-8228. You can spread out the reports by applying to each of the agencies every four months or so. This way you can monitor your credit at least three times a year. If you’re married that’s six times a year. Safeguard yourself again identity theft.
You can also sign up for credit monitoring with the big three. However, that can run you about $15 a month. In my opinion it’s not worth it.
Protect yourself from Identity Theft at all times. You never know when someone is lurking around to get your info.
Good PracticeShred - Invest in a good shredder, go to Staples or Office Depot and buy yourself a good shredder. Shred all financial information, statements, bills, pay stubs. You name it, shred it. If not, take it work, visit either your payroll or accounting dept., they should have one. Do Not - Give our personal information over the phone. Through the mail or over the internet unless you know who you are dealing with. Identity theft over the web is huge so be wary at all times. Safe - While you're at Staples or Office or Home Depot invest in a safe, check out prices and see if you could spend the money to buy one. Lock up all valuables, Social Security cards, statements and other things including important tax papers, marriage certificates, etc. Always be on the lookout for identity theft, criminals are lurking all around us, but you just don't notice it. Safeguard all your personal information at all times. Keep track of everything use one place to conduct your business at home, invest in a home office and buy everything you need to keep your place in tip top shape. When investing keeping your financial house in order is vital to your success. Good luck and keep learning.
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