| Identity theft is a very serious crime; if | | | | computer |
| you're a victim of this crime it may have | | | | |
| serious consequences. It could mean | | | | • Using your social security |
| difficulty in clearing your credit records, | | | | information for identification purposes. |
| getting into debt, losing a lot of money and | | | | |
| even getting in trouble with the law. You | | | | However, this does not necessarily mean that |
| will also have difficulty obtaining new jobs | | | | you should avoid these transactions. It means |
| or apartments. This is because employers and | | | | that you should be careful when giving away |
| landlords usually check the credit records of | | | | your personal and financial information. |
| their applicants. | | | | |
| | | | Being conscious on how you use your personal |
| This crime occurs when a thief gets | | | | and financial information can prevent |
| information about your credit card numbers, | | | | completion of identity theft. |
| name, address, social security number, and | | | | |
| other personal information that should be | | | | Here are some tips for safeguarding your |
| kept confidential. | | | | personal and financial information: |
| | | | |
| After they obtain your personal information, | | | | • Memorize your social security number |
| they will usually make purchases, open bank | | | | |
| accounts, apply for loans, apply for new | | | | • Memorize your PIN numbers |
| credit cards, get government benefits, and | | | | |
| forge checks in your name. | | | | • Don't use easy to guess passwords, |
| | | | like your birthday or your mother's maiden |
| If you're a victim, there are ways to solve | | | | name |
| this problem; | | | | |
| | | | • Secure your computer by using |
| You can report the crime to concerned | | | | firewall software and always update your |
| authorities and you can apply for identity | | | | computer security to safeguard your computer |
| theft insurance. | | | | from spywares. |
| | | | |
| Many companies are offering insurance for | | | | • Confirm if the website URL that is |
| people to protect their personal information. | | | | requesting your personal information is |
| You can apply for this insurance as an option | | | | authentic or legitimate. |
| for homeowner's insurance policy. However, | | | | |
| having identity theft insurance does not | | | | • Beware of emails, especially with |
| prevent identity theft; it will only help you | | | | attachments, belonging to someone you don't |
| recover if in any case you have been a victim | | | | know. Emails like these contain viruses or |
| of this crime. | | | | spywares that can easily be installed in your |
| | | | computer and can send your personal |
| People who become victims of identity theft | | | | information stored in your computer to |
| or identity fraud usually do not figure out | | | | thieves. |
| how their personal information was acquired | | | | |
| by the thief. So, it is wise that you should | | | | • Websites that ask for personal |
| be careful about your personal information. | | | | information should be secure. A secured |
| | | | website usually has URL that starts with " |
| The best way to prevent this crime is to be | | | | with the "s" meaning secured. |
| careful with your personal information. You | | | | |
| first have to know how criminals obtain your | | | | • Beware of telephone inquiries asking |
| personal information. | | | | you to give your personal information, unless |
| | | | you contacted them. |
| Thieves obtain personal information in many | | | | |
| simple ways. Here are some examples: | | | | • If you have lost your credit card, |
| | | | report it immediately to concerned |
| • By stealing your wallet containing | | | | authorities. It could have been stolen by |
| credit cards, and other personal information. | | | | identity thieves. |
| | | | |
| • By going through your garbage for | | | | • Get your mails as soon as it is |
| items containing personal information. | | | | delivered. |
| | | | |
| • By providing personal information | | | | • Do not discard bank, credit card or |
| online through email or registration based | | | | any other transaction receipts in public |
| websites. | | | | areas. Someone might obtain these information |
| | | | by dumpster diving. |
| • By pretending to be a new creditor to | | | | |
| obtain your credit report. | | | | These are some of the ways to safeguard your |
| | | | personal information. It is important that |
| • By eavesdropping on your phone calls | | | | you should be aware of what you do to items |
| or looking over your shoulder as you use your | | | | containing your personal and financial |
| personal information. | | | | information. Practicing these methods will |
| | | | surely minimize the risk of becoming a victim |
| • By promising prizes or awards by | | | | of identity theft. |
| contacting you by email that would require | | | | |
| you to provide personal and financial | | | | Perforate or shred important documents |
| information. | | | | containing personal information such as old |
| | | | credit cards, used checks and identity cards. |
| Here are some transactions that also create | | | | You'll never know when they would fall into |
| risk: | | | | wrong hands. |
| | | | |
| • Online banking | | | | If you suspect that something is wrong, |
| | | | report it immediately to the authorities. Be |
| • Online purchases | | | | sure that you have proof that you have |
| | | | reported such incident by keeping it in black |
| • Storing personal information in your | | | | and white. |