| Discover how to protect yourself from being an | | | | information and claiming to be from a company that |
| Identity Theft victim. There once was a time when the | | | | you have an account with, NEVER supply the |
| only option people had when shopping was to either | | | | requested information and never click any links or hit |
| call in or snail mail in a catalog order form or to jump in | | | | reply to send such personal information back to the |
| the family car, fight through traffic, and wait in long | | | | company. |
| checkout lines to complete the purchase. | | | | Many legit companies will not ask for sensitive |
| Well, nowadays there’s still a few major mail | | | | information via email. |
| order catalogs floating around and we all still visit our | | | | If you get such an email you are better off to make a |
| local retail outlets, but time has also introduced the | | | | copy of the letter you received then close that |
| internet as one of our options to shop from the | | | | browser window and then open a NEW window and |
| comforts of home. | | | | access the company directly from their website |
| The internet has made shopping at home a breeze | | | | address. |
| and along with it has unfortunately brought the so | | | | You should then submit the email you made a copy of |
| called Evil Doers who I believe have such little | | | | to the company so that their anti- fraud personnel can |
| happiness in their own lives that they must leech | | | | take the necessary steps to send out warnings of |
| pleasure from the hardworking and innocent individuals | | | | possible fraudulent activity to be aware of to its |
| of our wonderful and surrounding nations. | | | | members. |
| And yes, I am speaking of the ever growing problem | | | | 6) Be cautious about downloading and installing |
| known as Identity and Credit Card Theft. | | | | unnecessary programs onto your computer. If there |
| As an online and offline consumer it is in my best | | | | are programs that you indeed must download |
| interest to protect myself while at the same time | | | | ALWAYS scan the files for viruses and make sure |
| wanting to help others protect themselves as well. | | | | that your anti-virus program is up to date. |
| Below is a short yet thorough list of ways that you | | | | There’s a wide variety of viruses that are |
| can follow to help yourself stay safe and be a happy | | | | distributed to unprotected computer systems and |
| consumer and keep Evil Doers at bay. | | | | some of which are known as Key Stroke |
| 1) Always shred sensitive materials such as bank | | | | Loggers that record your sensitive log in names |
| statements before throwing them away in the regular | | | | and passwords and then are made known to the |
| trash. Just because the paper documents are in the | | | | trouble maker. |
| garbage doesn’t mean they are safe from | | | | 7) If possible try to utilize 2 different computers when |
| peeping eyes. | | | | using the internet. |
| 2) Contact your local bank or credit card provider to | | | | One computer should only be used for general internet |
| request a card with a low limit. This can make you feel | | | | surfing just in case it was to obtain a virus such as a |
| more at ease about shopping at those not so familiar | | | | Key Stroke Logger so there would be little threat of |
| places and can reduce the damages caused by such | | | | someone getting your personal information. |
| an ill intended individual if they get hold of your number. | | | | Only use the second computer to access more |
| Also never give out the 3-letter Card Identification | | | | sensitive information such as online banking or other |
| Number found on the back of the credit card unless | | | | important websites that require passwords and |
| you absolutely trust the merchant you are dealing with. | | | | important information. |
| 3) NEVER give out your social security card number | | | | 8) Finally, if there are young members of the family |
| for any reason! If capable you are best to obtain a tax | | | | that have computer use privileges be sure to monitor |
| I.D. number from the Internal Revenue Service or local | | | | and restrict the sites and programs they are allowed |
| tax agency. | | | | to use. |
| If any Evil Doer gets hold of your personal | | | | Many fraudulent individuals love to prey on the |
| information such as home address, birth date, and | | | | unexpecting and inexperienced web surfer. |
| Social Security Number you are at great risk of being | | | | In any case just be certain to contact the police or |
| victimized. | | | | appropriate authorities the INSTANT you believe that |
| 4) Only purchase items online through secure order | | | | you have become a victim of Identity Theft or Credit |
| pages which is typically indicated by a small, yellow, | | | | Card Number Theft. |
| Padlock image usually located somewhere near | | | | The sooner you tell the authorities the better the |
| the bottom of your internet browsers window. | | | | chance they can help you recover from a financial |
| 5) If you ever receive an email asking for sensitive | | | | catastrophe. |