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Identity Theft: What You Need To Know |
By:
Jim Stone |
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Identity Theft: What You Need To Know
Jim Stone
Here are a few ways identity thieves can get your social security number, your credit card numbers, your login names and passwords, and other sensitive information:
1. They Can Steal Your Wallet or Purse: This one is the simplest way for thieves to get your personal information. Health clubs are a big hunting ground for wallet thieves. Make sure you put a padlock on your day locker. Also, be wary of pick pockets in public places. Consider carrying your wallet in your front pocket. Or consider wrapping the strap of your purse around you more firmly.
2. They Can Steal Your Credit Card Number When They Serve You: Waiters and waitresses (and other service professionals) can record your credit card number and use it later. Usually this is small-time stuff, and you can simply dispute the charges and get a new card. But it can be more serious. Obviously most service professionals are honest, but some are not. Unfortunately, there's not much you can do about it if you insist on paying with plastic.
3. They Can Rummage Through Your Files At Work: You know that disgruntled co-worker who is always complaining about not having enough money? There are ways for them to pad their meager incomes by betraying you and your information to identity rings. Know who is supposed to have access to your personal information at work. Minimize the amount of information that is available, and know your company's policies to know your risk.
4. They Can Hack Into A Computer On The Internet Where Your Information Is Stored: If you keep your credit card information on line, this information could be recovered by thieves. All reputable sites will encrypt your information, but this is sometimes not enough. Banks have been hit. Major retailers have been hit. Major internet service sites (like Monster.com/ have been hit. Try to keep to a minimum the amount of your information you let companies store in their databases.
5. They Could Steal Your PDA: They're so handy. So small. So cute. And so utterly stealable (is that even a word?). Leave your PDA for a minute and it could be gone. Leave sensitive information on it (passwords, credit card information, social security numbers), and you might find yourself in serious credit trouble without even knowing you were spending money or taking out loans.
6. Phone Phishing: They could pose as someone "official" on the phone. Susie: "Hi. This is Susie from 'Your Favorite Bank', and I'm seeing some suspicious activity here. Did you recently change your address?" You: "Er, yeah." Susie: "Can I get the updated information from you?" You: "Sure." Susie: "OK, I'm going to need your social security number, to verify your account, and then I'm going to need the new address . . ." You get the point.
So what can you do about identity theft? Well, you can't get completely protected, but you can get insured through various identity theft protection services. Check them out. They're very inexpensive compared to the peace of mind they bring.
Jim Stone advises individuals about how increase the security in six areas of their lives. http://www.sixfoldsecurity.com/financial/identity_theft.php) Get Educated About How To Secure Your Identity at http://www.sixfoldsecurity.com/ www.SixFoldSecurity.com Get your own completely http://www.uberarticles.com/?id=26675&b=79 unique content version of this article.
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Article Source: http://www.statssheet.com/articles/article63584.html |
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