PROTECT YOURSELF FROM IDENTITY THEFT


Here are some ways that identity thieves work:
  • They open a new credit card account, using your name, date of birth, and Social Security number. When they use the credit card and don’t pay the bills, the delinquent account is reported on your credit report.
  • They call your credit card issuer and, pretending to be you, change the mailing address on your credit card account. Then, your imposter runs up charges on your account. Because your bills are being sent to the new address, you may not immediately realize there's a problem.
  • They establish cellular phone service in your name. They open a bank account in your name and write bad checks on that account.
Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in America. Get hit and it's bad. Statistics claim you'll spend at least 175 hours and $808 (not including attorney fees) in out-of-pocket expenses to repair your damaged credit in a process that takes 23 months to resolve.

No doubt, the Internet has made it easier for crooks to steal a person's identity. Protecting your identity online begins with a solid foundation of awareness and a pro-active attitude. You probably don't leave your home or car unlocked when you're not there, do you? Watching out for and checking up on your identity is just one more element of modern living that requires constant attention.

Protecting your online identity fits right in with steps you should take to protect your real-world personal information:
  1. Don't store your personal information or credit card numbers with online retailers.
  2. Don't give out more information than necessary. Stores, clubs and online retailers don't need your detailed personal information, particularly your SSN. Find out more about consumer regulations in your state by going to the Public Interest Research Group web site (www.pirg.org).
  3. Opt out of information sharing whenever possible and remove your name from marketers mailing lists. Visit the Federal Trade Commission's privacy protection Web site to learn more (www.ftc.gov/privacy/) and go to the Center For Democracy and Technology's Opt-Out center (http://optout.cdt.org/online) to do it all online.
  4. Never give out your credit card number, SSN or mother's maiden name in an e-mail, and only do so on the phone if you initiated the call and/or you're confident in the business or person.
  5. Research Web sites before you order. Look for a physical business address and at least one customer service phone number (call it to make sure it's active). Check out the company online at the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org), and take a moment to read over the site's privacy policy. Every reputable e-commerce business will be clear and up-front about how they process your order, and what information they use or provide to third-party marketers.
  6. Before entering personal information online, make sure you're using a secure connection. Look at the site's web address to make sure it begins with "https" (the "s" designates that it's "secure"). Also, check to see that the padlock icon displayed at the bottom of your browser is locked.
  7. Print a copy of your online order, and keep it in your records for the length of the return or warranty period. Most e-tailers are good about providing invoices with goods shipped, but sometimes your printed record may be your only detailed receipt of the transaction.
  8. Use a credit card instead of a debit card for online transactions. With a credit card, you're protected under the Fair Credit Billing Act regardless of the issuing bank, limiting your liability to $50 and providing you the right to dispute charges as well as withhold payments during an investigation. In some cases, your credit card might even have zero liability, too.
  9. If you use a credit (or debit) card online or off, check your statements carefully, or even better check them online. Most credit card issuers (and many banks for debit cards) offer online statements that show all of your card activity within a day or so after making a purchase.
  10. Buy a shredder and destroy personal information records before you toss them into the trash. For your computer, consider a file-shredding program such as File Shredder 2000 (www.gregorybraun.com/Shredder.html) or Shredder (www.gale-force.com). These programs will erase the contents of sensitive files and folders that you specify by overwriting the contents of a file and then destroying it.
    11. Vigilance for your personal information needs to extend to your credit rating and the three companies that track your credit. While you may have to pay a fee to get your credit report, consider it money well spent (people denied credit, on government assistance, unemployed or those living in Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey or Vermont can get a free report). You can access your report online at Equifax (www.equifax.com)and Experian (www.experian.com), although the best you can do at TransUnion (www.tuc.com) is to order via their online form.

    If you do fall prey to identity theft, there are online organizations that can help you resolve your troubles.

    The government's central website for identity theft (www.consumer.gov/idtheft) is the place to start for advice on what to do as well as explanations of applicable state and federal laws.

    Another resource is www.identitytheft.org, where you'll find extensive resources on what to do if you're targeted.

    Identity theft and credit fraud are serious threats to your financial well-being, and it's not enough to just hope you don't become a victim. With a little attention and determination on your part, you can greatly reduce your chances of becoming another unfortunate statistic.

    We pass along jokes, we pass along just about everything. Do think about passing this information along. It could help someone else.

    -Author Unknown
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