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