How To Place yourself in the secure society

by scott morris

Sponsored Links

Identity theft has become the fastest growing criminal activity in the 20th Century, replacing illegal drug sales. For the perpetrators, it offers the highest profit margin with the least risk. In fact, according to one expert, it is estimated that fewer than 1-in-700-identity crimes actually result in a conviction.

In the United States alone, Identity theft has reached $53 billion dollars a year. Consumers are directly shouldering about $5 billion of that, but the rest, which is paid by businesses and retailers, is passed on indirectly to consumers who are paying more for goods and services.

How BIG is this Problem?

In recent months, there has been a rash of reports about big thefts, where criminals are stealing identities in mass quantities. Banks, credit card companies and businesses that house servers storing passwords or other sensitive, private information have all reported “break-ins” that happened through the use of Trojan viruses and other online hacking methods – resulting in the loss of millions of pieces of information being stolen. There have also been instances of the information just getting “lost”, of employees selling it and other lax security measures resulting in the same thing – thieves having access to your identity.

What do Thieves Want?

Your Name
Date of Birth
Home Address
Phone Numbers
Social Security Number
Driver’s License Number
Credit Card Numbers
CW2 Security Code (the number on the back of your credit card)
Your Credit Report
ATM Cards
Telephone Calling Cards
Mortgage Details

Where Are They Getting All Your Information?

High-tech methods include online thefts from:

Banks
Credit-Reference Agencies
Retailers
Credit Card Networks
Data-Brokerage Companies
Payment Processing Companies
Phone Companies
Schools
Your Employer
Doctors, Clinics and Health Departments
Government Agencies

But there are still low-tech methods that are effective as well:

Dumpster Diving
Mail Theft
Retail Theft
“Phishing”/pretexting/pretending
Purse/Wallet Theft

What are Thieves Using Your Information For?

Making charges to your existing credit cards
Opening new credit cards in your name
Having phone or utilities turned on
Withdrawing money from your existing bank accounts
Employment purposes
Driver’s Licenses
Tax Fraud
Social Service benefits
Student loans
Business or Personal loans
Health care
Mortgage loans/leases
Auto loans
Using your ID when caught committing a crime

How Can You Protect Yourself?

Keep a photocopy of all your credit cards, bank account numbers and investment account numbers in a safe place.
Keep your credit card receipts – don’t throw them away in a public place
Put a “fraud alert” on all your credit reports
If you apply for credit and the card doesn’t arrive on time, call the card issuer
Choose difficult to guess PIN numbers or passwords. (Don’t use birth dates, your mother’s maiden name, pet’s name, etc.)
Never give personal information to anyone who sends you an email, a letter or calls you asking for it
Shred any personal information – such as bills, credit card or bank statements, even pre-approved credit applications before throwing them away
Don’t use the ATM machine if someone is watching you
Pay attention to what’s going on around you – cell phones often have cameras in them. If someone is standing close by you with a cell phone while you're entering a PIN number at the ATM or in line at the grocery store, block their view
Review your bills each month for unusual or suspicious charges. If there’s something you don’t remember or doesn’t seem right, call the creditor right away
Check your credit report at least once a year
Store your cancelled checks safely, or better yet, have the bank do it. You can always get a copy if you need one.
Don’t leave your purse in plain sight when driving
Keep your valuable locked in the trunk or glove box when driving
Make all personal information on your laptop or computer password protected
Don’t carry information about your PIN numbers, passwords and account numbers in your purse or wallet; or at least don’t make them easily identifiable as to which account they belong to

Warning Signs that Your Identity Has Been Stolen:

Although you have good credit, a loan application is denied, or you’re refused extended credit requests
You are suddenly contacted by a debt-collection agency
Your purse or wallet has been stolen, or your house broken into
There is unfamiliar activity on your credit report

What to do if it Happens to You:

If your purse or wallet is stolen, call the police immediately, and file a report. Make sure that you’re given a report number
Contact your bank, credit card and other credit extending companies and report the theft
Close the accounts
Contact the credit-reporting companies in your area, and report the theft.
Review your credit report every 90 days for the next year for suspicious activity
If there is fraudulent activity, have it removed immediately and monitor your credit report every 90 days for the next year
Put everything in writing, and follow up with your credit card companies, banks, and credit reporting agencies. Keep copies of all supporting documents
File a report with the Federal Trade Commission
Change the passwords on your existing accounts and create new ones for new accounts

Identity theft is real, and it’s a growing problem, and it could happen to you. Although there are no guarantees that you can keep your information safe, by paying attention to the risks and taking proactive steps to protect yourself, you can minimize your chances of someday having an “identity crisis”. Good luck!

About the author:
Scott Morris's article on social security and asia adoption agency http://socialasian.com/
for more information, you can visit http://socialasian.com/

Circulated by Article Emporium