| Identity theft is a big crime in America. In 2003, the | | | | website or its security, DO NOT give it any information. |
| federal government passed the Identity Theft and | | | | When in doubt, don't buy. Simple as that. |
| Assumption Deterrence Act. This created a new | | | | #2: Keep It Off the Phone |
| crime called "Aggravated Identity Theft" and | | | | If you don't know who you're talking to, don't give out |
| empowered the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) | | | | any useful information about your identity. That seems |
| with the authority to track the number of incidents and | | | | pretty simple, but it's amazing how many people will |
| dollar value of losses due to identity theft. | | | | give out their mother's maiden name (a common |
| These FTC studies have shown that pure identity | | | | "security question" for credit cards) or even Social |
| theft (taking over someone's identity) have steadily | | | | Security number without much question. |
| been declining but that fraud complaints (partial identity | | | | "Fishing" is a form of building a profile for identity theft |
| theft) are on the rise. This means that the criminal | | | | in which a criminal who has basic information (like a |
| element behind ID theft has switched from assuming | | | | credit card number) will call to get enough information |
| someone's identity entirely to merely using enough of it | | | | to take over the card and even take out new credit in |
| to perpetrate fraudulent thefts through consumer | | | | the victim's name. The criminal will make phone calls |
| credit and similar frauds. | | | | pretending to be someone from the card company, |
| It's estimated that identity theft is the fastest-growing | | | | one of the utilities, a bank, etc. and ask for information |
| white collar crime in the U.S. and that more than 8.5 | | | | they need as if it were part of a customer service call. |
| million Americans fall victim to it every year. So, are | | | | Many fall for this. |
| there ways to prevent identity theft? | | | | If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be |
| Yes, there are lots of ways to prevent identity theft. | | | | from a credit card, bank, or other company and they |
| We'll look at the "big 3" that are most recommended | | | | need identifying information from you, tell them you'll call |
| as minimum safeguards against becoming a victim of | | | | them back through their recognized corporate number |
| this crime. Most ID theft experts list these three things | | | | (which you will get yourself from a bill or the phone |
| as the bare minimum every American should be doing | | | | book). Tell them you don't give out personal information |
| to protect themselves. | | | | on the phone if you can't be sure who you're talking to. |
| #1: Watch Those Websites | | | | They should understand and wait for you to call them |
| The first of our top 3 ways to prevent identity theft is | | | | back. |
| learning what you should and shouldn't put into a | | | | This simple precaution can almost totally prevent your |
| website and what to look for to make sure it's safe. | | | | private information from being stolen. Simply because |
| Most victims of credit card fraud and identity theft are | | | | a criminal with a stolen credit card number only has |
| initially targeted through Internet scams and websites. | | | | one avenue to steal from you. A criminal with a stolen |
| While shopping online is relatively safe, there are | | | | credit card and your personal information can wreak |
| certain things you should always look for before you | | | | havoc on your entire credit profile and empty your |
| enter any information into an online consumer site. | | | | bank accounts faster than you might think. |
| First, know what site you're dealing with. If the site is a | | | | #3: Keep Them Safe |
| large, reputable company like Amazon or Sears, then | | | | When you're at the store, in the mall, or when you park |
| you're on the way to verifying it's okay. Make sure that | | | | your car, keep your credit cards, identification, and |
| the URL (site address) begins with what you know is | | | | other valuables safe. If you carry a wallet, keep it in a |
| the company's real address. So if you're shopping on | | | | wallet near your body where you can feel it rather |
| Amazon.com, make sure the website address is | | | | than in a purse. This makes it harder to steal. When |
| something like " or " so you know that you're really on | | | | you use a card, cover your hand while you enter the |
| Amazon's website and not a fake. | | | | PIN number or make sure to give ID to the clerk |
| Next, look for the security seal on the site before you | | | | (whether they ask or not) to remind them that the |
| enter any information. When the site asks you for a | | | | card could be stolen. |
| credit card, checking account, or other information for | | | | When you park your car to go into a store or your |
| payment (or personal information about you such as | | | | home, DO NOT leave your personal identification and |
| your social security number or driver's license info), | | | | credit cards behind! Take them with you no matter |
| make sure the transmission to the site is secure. | | | | what. Even a one minute into the Post Office to grab |
| Do this in two ways: look for the "https" at the | | | | your mail can result in your wallet or purse being stolen. |
| beginning of the site URL in your address bar-that "s" | | | | It takes just a couple of seconds to open the car door |
| denotes "secure." Then look in the corner of your | | | | or break the window and take your things. |
| browser-usually to the bottom right-for a padlock that | | | | Last but not least, if you have children, protect their |
| is closed, or "locked." This is the universal symbol for a | | | | Social Security numbers as you do your own. Just |
| secure connection. | | | | because they're children doesn't mean their SS |
| Finally, if you have any doubts whatsoever about the | | | | numbers can't be used to take out credit! |