As you know, occassionally I publish special articles
when I run across information that is important for you
to know.
The following article reprinted with permission from author,
Steven Presar, contains vital information for anyone
working or playing on the Internet. There are some very
specific tips to help you avoid identity theft and tips for what
you can do if you become a victim.
Read on...
Identity Theft Exploding: Here's How you can Avoid Becoming a Victim
Plus, Tips if you do Become a Victim
By Steven Presar
Americans are more concerned about identity theft than
unemployment or corporate fraud, according to a survey
of 2,000 people conducted by Star Systems.
Nine out of ten Americans demand new federal
legislation, while two-thirds say the financial
services industry needs to do a better job of verifying
the identity of customers who open bank accounts (66
percent) and credit card accounts (72 percent).
Some 5.6 percent of respondents reported being victims
of identity theft, which translates to 12 million
people. When debit and credit card fraud and identity
theft were combined, close to 15.9 percent of consumers
say they have been the victim of one of these crimes.
(Source: Star Systems, 2003)
For most of us, using your debit or credit card to make
a purchase has become an every day aspect of life. Many
of us do it every day and feel safe in doing so.
But it is far from safe. People with your debit or
credit card information may make purchases with your
card information over the telephone, via the Internet,
or at a local retail store.
As we moved to a cashless system of transactions by
debit or credit card, a relatively simple crime niche
has grown - identity theft and fraud.
Some law enforcement authorities are not pursuing the
crime in a coordinated and cooperative fashion. Thus, a
situation has grown that affords the people who
perpetrate such acts of theft and fraud, act with a
degree of confidents that they will not get caught.
What can you do to reduce your chances of becoming a
victim of identity theft or fraud?
Here is a list of actions that you can take to avoid
becoming a victim of identity crimes.
1. Never throw receipts or statements away that have
personal information on them. The trash is the greatest
repository of information for the identity thief. Even
better, shred everything that has identifying
information on it (transaction receipts, etc.).
2. Pay to have an unlisted telephone number in your
local telephone directory.
3. Take as much identification off of your personal
checks and driver's license as possible. Thus, no home
addresses, phone numbers, or social security numbers on
personal checks. Last only your last name and first
initial rather than your full name. You want a retail
clerk to check your ID when you are cashing a check.
Most states now provide a photo ID on all new
automobile drivers licenses issued. If you do not have
one, conceder getting your licenses renewed now to get
a photo ID for identification purposes. Do not put your
social security number on your driver's license.
4. Check your bank accounts for suspicious activity
everyday, this can be done online via the Internet.
5. Have your middle initial removed from all public
documentation if possible. Middle initials help
identity thieves narrow down their searches for
victims.
6. If someone calls you asking for your personal
information on the telephone - do not provide any
personal information to anyone over the phone.
7. Don't leave your mail out overnight. If you will be
away from home for any period of time: have your home
mail delivery stopped. If possible, secure a locked
mail box at your local post office or a retail store
mail box service for your home mail delivery.
If you go on vacation, have your mail and newspaper
delivery stopped and arrange to have your yard
maintained. Include the post office, newspaper service,
and your friends or neighbors to insure that your home
looks as if it is occupied while you are gone.
For a checklist for your home security while you are
away see -
http://www.ProtectionConnect.com/homesecuritychecklist.html
or
ProtectionConnect.com > Home Protection.
8. Write 'Check ID' on the back of your debit or credit
cards next to your signature. In that way, when a
retail store checks your signature on your card, they
will verify that the card is being used by the proper
individual.
9. Be aware of people standing too close to you and
'shoulder surfing' you while you conduct your ATM
transactions.
If you do become a victim of an identity crime - do the
following:
1. Demand to file a police report no matter how
unwilling the law enforcement office may be. Make sure
to get a copy or at least the report number.
2. In the case of card fraud, make sure to cancel your
card and report it as stolen to your credit card
company as soon as you find out.
Immediately, fill out affidavits with the appropriate
financial institution denying that you were the one who
made the relevant purchases. In most cases, the banks
will respond with up to a 30-day process that requires
the businesses that accepted the fraudulent
transactions to repay the banks.
3. Report the fraud to the three major credit bureaus:
* TransUnion, Post Office Box 2000, Chester, PA
19022
* Equifax, Equifax Equifax Credit Information
Services, Inc., Post Office Box 740241, Atlanta, GA
30374 1.888.766.0008
* Experian, Consumer Information, Post Office Box
1909, Orange, CA 92865
4. The U.S. Secret Service handles fraud cases that
cross state borders. If you know that your case
applies, contact their local office to make them aware
of your case. If it is part of a broader fraud case,
you may be contacted by an agent.
5. You can also fill out a complaint form with the
Federal Trade Commission, although this is strictly
used to track national identity theft statistics.
Copyright Steven Presar
Steven Presar is a recognized small business technology
coach, Internet publisher, author, speaker, and
trainer. He provides personal, home, and computer
security solutions at www.ProtectionConnect.com. He
provides business software reviews at
www.OnlineSoftwareGuide.com. In addition, he publishes
articles for starting and running a small business at
www.abcResults.com. Be sure to sign-up for the SOHO
newsletter.
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