About Identity Theft: Read About Prevention, Do You Need Insurance, Internet, Credit Cards, Social Security And How To Protect Yourself And Reporting
About Identity Theft: Read About Prevention, Do You Need Insurance, Internet, Credit Cards, Social Security And How To Protect Yourself And Reporting
What is Identity Theft?
Identity theft is a crime. Identity theft is a term used to refer to all types of crime in which someone illegally obtains and uses another person’s personal data in a way that involves lies or deception, mostly for economic gain.
How to Prevent Identity Theft
In 1996, Mari Frank lost her identity to an internet hacker when a stranger accessed her credit report online. Ten months later, Frank, of Laguna Niguel, California, had a creditor call him about “he
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Categories: Social security card Tags: About, Cards., credit, identity, Insurance, Internet, Need, Prevention, Protect, Read, Reporting, Security, Social, Theft, Yourself
How To Protect Your Pet From Fleas
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How To Protect Your Pet From Fleas
Fleas are more than just a nuisance – they make your dogs and cats miserable, they bite you and your children. How to Protect Your Pet From Fleas can show you how to get those fleas off your pets, and out of your life. Affiliates make a 65% Commission! How To Protect Your Pet From [...]
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How To Protect Your Pet From Fleas
Fleas are more than just a nuisance – they make your dogs and cats miserable, they bite you and your children. How to Protect Your Pet From Fleas can show you how to get those fleas off your pets, and out of your life. Affiliates make a 65% Commission! How To Protect Your Pet From [...]
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Pensions: Prepare For and Protect your Future
Pensions: Prepare For and Protect your Future Choosing a particular pension scheme may be down to individual choice, but saving for such should be embraced by anyone who would like to have the possibility of financial assurance when they reach their retirement. A pension is a tax-efficient way of saving for the future, and it [...]
Categories: Health Care, Social Security News Tags: Future, Pensions, Protect
Protection From Identity Theft – 9 Tips To Protect Your Debit And Credit Cards
If a person wants your identity, nothing will prevent them from making you become a victim of identity theft.
What makes this crime so easy?
They can commit these crimes so easily because all too often, people mishandle important papers or are careless with information in the workplace. There are also too lenient credit industry practices and the total effortlessness of getting social security numbers.
You can reduce your chance of being the victim of fraud by following nine simple steps. These are:
Regarding Credit and Debit Reports
1. Do not let it become habit on carrying both the credit and debit cards at the same time. It’s also a wise idea not to use the debit card because they lose more out of the checking account.
However, you can carry at least one credit card on you, perhaps two as well as your ATM card. Should you be used to the debit card, regularly check your online account to detect signs of fraud or theft. As soon as you see discrepancies, report it to your bank or credit card company.
2. When using the debit or credit card, be cautious about how these cards are swiped and how they are handled.
Some restaurant employees and many other places, are using non-detectable skimmers that can pull off account numbers from personal computers. By getting this information, they can achieve to buy products online or make counterfeit cards.
3. Never use your debit card online when you shop. Instead use a credit card. These cards often offer better protection in case of fraud.
4. Keep a list of the cards you have and make a separate list for account numbers, expiration dates and customer service phone numbers in case the cards are lost or stolen.
Put these in a safe place so you can use them for immediate access should you need to.
5. Never give out your personal information out online, by phone or by mail. Only if you trust the person enough do you attempt to do this.
A strategy thieves like to use is calling victims by saying they have won a prize of some sort but the only way to get the money is to give out personal data. Never do this!
6. Don’t throw your receipts just anywhere. Shred them if they are not needed and place them in a trash can not frequently used.
Place shopping receipts inside your purse or wallet, not on your bag.
7. Never write your credit card number on your checks. This is a violation in some states but really exposes it to thieves.
Doing this, opens you up to being a victim.
8. Check the mailbox especially if you are waiting on something important including credit cards or credit statements. People could be peeking out to steal them before you can check.
Should the card not arrive when it is suppose to call the credit company to be sure the card did not fall into the wrong hands.
9. Do not forget to request your credit report once a year. A law was passed so the three credit bureaus have to give you a free copy each year.
Should your report show signs of mishandling or unusual charges or credit reporting, look into them and make disputes.
The sooner the fraud is found, the quicker it can be resolved and get your finances back in order.
It is so important to remember these tips because it can make the difference between having good credit and having negative aspects by credit issuers who think you are the one making bad marks.
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Categories: Lost social security card Tags: Cards., credit, Debit, from, identity, Protect, Protection, Theft, Tips
Real Estate Tips How To Protect Yourself From Identity Theft
Real Estate Tips – Guarding your personal information is the key to protecting yourself against identity theft. Don’t carry unused credit cards and your social security card in your wallet. Don’t give out your social security number to doctors. Ask your employer what they do to keep your personal information safe. If you are careful about protecting information like your social security number and mother’s maiden name, you can reduce your risk for identity theft. Watch this Expert Real Estate Tips video for more identity theft solutions.
How To Protect Yourself From Identity Theft
Guarding your personal information is the key to protecting yourself against identity theft. Don’t carry unused credit cards and your social security card in your wallet. Don’t give out your social security number to doctors. Ask your employer what they do to keep your personal information safe. If you are careful about protecting information like your social security number and mother’s maiden name, you can reduce your risk for identity theft. Watch this Expert Real Estate Tips video for more identity theft solutions.
Can We Count on Companies to Protect Our Credit Card Data?
On August 17, 2009 federal prosecutors charged Albert Gonzalez of Miami Florida, a former federal government informant, for allegedly stealing 130 million credit and debit card accounts. This was one of the largest know identity theft cases in US history. Gonzalez, the ring leader of an international team of thieves, has pleaded guilty to 19 counts of conspiracy, computer fraud, wire fraud, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft of credit and debit card data from TJX (T.J. Maxx stores), BJ’s Wholesale Club, OfficeMax, Boston Market, Barnes & Noble, Sports Authority and several other prominent retailers. I have hyperlinked a couple of articles below to provide a summary of the situation and make some recommendations on how you can protect yourself from identity theft.
How did Albert Gonzalez (and his team of accomplices) do it? It was not complicated. Gonzalez and his team were accused of “wardriving” or hacking into unsecured wireless internet networks while driving by with a laptop and installing sniffer program to steal consumer data. Consumers implicitly place a lot of trust for credit card security upon retailers, particularly the large national retailers, when paying for that pair of jeans or the new tennis racket. But even the largest of retailers are finding it difficult to secure their data against hacker who get more creative by the day.
Every one of us is susceptible to identity theft. It was reported recently that Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke fell prey to identity thieves when a checkbook for a joint account with his wife was stolen from her purse. The thieves made off with $9,000. The Bernanke theft is the classic example of a “low-tech” physical theft but as more personal information becomes digital, there is an increase in the number of identity thefts by hackers breaking into computer servers.
So who is responsible for the protection of your data?
Experts agree that the responsibility falls on the companies where you use your card to keep it from falling into the hands of hackers who attempt to break into the companies’ servers. You the consumer have a level of trust with the company and it is their duty to uphold this trust.
Since the Gonzalez case surfaced, state and federal agencies have proposed several new laws and legislation to better protect the consumer. For example, the Federal Trade Commission’s Red Flags Rule will come into effect this November. This program requires certain companies and institutions to establish systems that will identity possible threats to consumer data. But the new proposed laws, regulations and programs can only go so far and there are things that you the consumer can do to ensure you don’t fall victim to identity theft.
Here are a few recommendations:
1. Access your credit reports from the three major reporting agencies at least annually, if not quarterly. If there is information in your credit report that isn’t accurate, get it corrected by disputing with the credit bureau, in writing, and also by contacting the financial institution who reported the data. If there are irregular patterns in your credit report keep a closer eye on them by signing up with the credit reporting agencies to get alerts every time there is a new entry in your report.
2. Spend a couple of minutes a day or every other day to check your credit and bank accounts.
3. Leave your Social Security card at home because if it falls into the wrong hands it could be used to open new credit accounts.
4. If you are getting rid of your old computer, make sure you remove the hard drive as hackers can still access data from it even though you have deleted it.
5. Photocopy your wallet’s content so if stolen or lost you have a record of what’s missing.
6. Protect your wireless internet modem with a password to keep others from accessing your data while you surf the net.
Identity theft unfortunately is a reality these days. I hope what I have written can help you protect against it.
Robert F. Brennan, Esq. is a principal with Brennan, Wiener & Associates, an AV-rated law firm in La Crescenta, CA. His firm specializes in consumer protection litigation including credit card theft. He can be reached athttp://SoCalcreditdamage.com.
Home Security Measures to Protect Your Computer and Other Valuables
Other than expensive jewelry, your computer is probably the most expensive item in your home. Burglars have a tendency to target objects that can be easily resold for quick cash. DVD players, flat screen TVs, jewelry, laptops, or even cash itself are often the most sought-after objects during burglaries. However, there are some effective home security measures you can take to protect your home’s valuable contents.
Let’s start with computers. If you happen to have a desktop PC, you can actually lock up the base tower of the system. Many computer desks come with closeable compartments for this part of the computer. If it does not already have a lock, it’s worth the time to install one or have it installed by someone. The base of the PC is the most important part to protect, given that it is the most expensive and contains all of your data. Don’t worry so much about the monitor and keyboard, as those items are much cheaper and easy to replace.
For laptop owners, you have the option of placing the laptop in a safe when you leave home or before heading to bed. To many, this will seem like quite the hassle. Another valuable home security tip is to purchase a laptop lock. These locks are conceptually similar to bicycle locks, in that you are strapping the laptop down to a large, basically immovable object – which a desk is for all intents and purposes here. Remember, burglars want to get out as fast as possible and grab objects that are easy to carry.
Of course, all large amounts of cash should always be stored in a heavy-duty safe. You should also lock away jewelry and any important documents, such as birth certificates and social security cards. Safes are probably best located in closets, basements or attics. Some stores specialize in safes, but Wal-Mart and other large retailers also provide quality safes as well. When buying safes, the heavier the better. Given that a small safe can be picked up and carried away by burglars.
Perhaps the most obvious idea to keep your valuables protected is to use a home alarm system. These days, alarms are quite affordable thanks to the ongoing competition between security provider companies. Service can cost you well under $50 per month. Once installed, be sure to place the company logo stickers on doors and windows; or even place a sign in the yard, if given one. These signs and stickers are proven to scare off potential intruders. For example, just imagine that there are five houses on your block and yours is the only one visibly protected by an alarm system. Which house is the burglar most likely to attempt to break into? Undoubtedly, one of the unprotected ones.
Using a home alarm system makes your home even safer when applying the other tips mentioned here. Not to mention that having an alarm installed could lower your home insurance rates. What could be better than keeping your valuables protected and saving money at the same time?
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