Ann Knapp asked:


How much information does an ID thief need to steal someone’s identity? Easily found personal information such as a name, birth date, address, or a mother’s maiden name can be enough for an ID thief to access someone’s existing accounts or establish new loans or credit in another’s name.

Every day, personal information is stolen. ID thefts occur when someone shifts through a trash can or a waiter writes down a customer’s credit card number. While network security is constantly improving – especially as more consumers conduct shopping and banking online, it is still imperative that personal information be monitored and protected by its immediate owner.

Following are 10 steps to securing and protecting personal information, according to Tony Bradley, respected information security resource guru and author of Essential Computer Security:

1. Be on guard for the shoulder surfer. This is the guy who likes to casually look over someone’s shoulder as he or she enters a PIN number or credit card number at an ATM, phone booth, or even work computer. Those using a public place to withdraw cash or import personal information should always be aware of others around them and their ability to see what keys are being pressed.

2. Direct people to photo ID verification. Instead of signing the back of a credit card, write “See photo ID” on the back. Often, store clerks do not check for a signature on a credit card; and thieves can still use these cards to make purchases online or over the phone. However, for times when signature verification is required, the card holder is creating another layer of security by directing a salesperson a photo ID as well.

3. Shred bills and credit cards statements. Thieves who acquire information by going through trash are known as “dumpster diving.” These individuals are looking for bills, statements, and even junk mail to steal an identity. Use a personal shredder to destroy any and all material that contains personal information before disposing of them in the trash.

4. Destroy all digital data. Individuals who sell, trade or discard of a computer system, hard drive, recordable CD, DVD, or backup tape should take extra precautions to ensure the data has been completely destroyed. Thieves who are technically savvy may retrieve information believed to have been deleted or reformatted. CDs and DVDs should be shattered before being thrown away and there are shredders designed to shred CD/DVD media.

5. Check any and all statements. Cross-checking bank and credit statements has two benefits. First, individuals who regularly check their statements will be more aware if one does not arrive each month – indicating that an account has possibly been stolen. Secondly, checking statements allows the account holder to confirm that the entries are legitimate.

6. Pay paper bills at the post office. Paid bills that are left in the mailbox can be stolen by someone looking for critical information – such as a name, address, credit card account number, or bank information. Take bills to the post office or to a U.S. Postal Service drop box.

7. Limit personal information on checks. It may be convenient to have a driver’s license number or other information printed on personal checks. However, if that information falls into the wrong hands it may be enough information for a thief to cause real harm.

8. Review a credit report each year. Thanks to a recent congressional act, consumers can check their credit report for free each year, provided from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Check the report for any suspicious entries or activity.

9. Protect your Social Security Number. Now, more than ever, if a thief has personal information such as a name, address, and a social security number, he or she can assume someone’s identity. Especially never give out your social security number over the phone or email.

10. Do online business with established companies. It’s imperative that a level of trust be established before conducting business online. Make sure those companies take the security of personal information as seriously as you do. Always review a company’s online privacy policy to ensure it is a secure or encrypted web site.



Cory

Lee Ives asked:


Its an unfortunate fact but identity theft is on the rise.

ID theft is a crime that can be committed in many different ways – in a department store, at your local ATM, on the internet and even via phone.

One small slip-up from yourself and you could find yourself paying the cost for years to come as identity theft is a crime that has far-reaching and long-lasting effects.

For that reason you’ll want to avoid it like the plague so here are some tips on how to minimise the chances of you becoming the next id theft victim :

BUY A SHREDDER

Shred every document that you have that contains personal information, including receipts, address, statements, and credit card offers. Some statements even contain a blank check for you to use. Be extra careful if you share a house with others, even if they are friends or family, as they are the most common perpertrators of this crime.

KEEP YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER SAFE

Your Social Security Number (SSN) should be kept safe at all times, preferable somewhere secure in your house, and never in your purse or wallet.

Never give your number to anyone who doesn’t need it, especially when talking to strangers on the telephone.

If someone steals your SSN then they are one step away from being able to completely assume your identity.

NEVER WRITE YOUR PIN DOWN

Please don’t write your PIN on a piece of paper and then put it into your wallet. If you do then you probably deserve what you’ll get if your wallet and cards are then stolen.

STUDY BANK AND CREDIT CARD STATEMENTS REGULARLY

Examine your statements regularly and always question and report any strange activity immediately.

GET YOUR FREE CREDIT REPORT EVERY YEAR

The Credit Bureaus offer free credit reports every year. Take advantage of that offer and then read them thoroughly.

A credit report can be a good tool for spotting the signs of identity theft and the earlier you deal with it the better.

For more tips on avoiding identity theft you ought to visit my blog where I share more tips on avoiding identity theft.



Maureen

Mike Samadi asked:


(Copyrighted)

Dear friends and readers:

In my previous blogs and bulletins, I discussed ID theft/fraud and scams.

Listen to the reports/news about a neighbor (a couple) in an apartment stolen other neighbors ID and lived richly OFF those people’s IDs.

There are so many other ways for Identity theft Fraud.  Such as

1.  People looking over your shoulder in the stores.

2.  Stealing your mail from your mail boxes (home or post office).

3.  You losing your valet and not immediately reporting the loss to the police, your creditors and banks.  

4.  You provided your credit card to a company for a purchased and the company keeps charging your account when the authorized charge was only SUPPOSED TO BE for one transaction.  “fraud spree”

5.  ID assumption. Like the couple on the CNN news have done with their neighbors.  (go to the link above) 

6.  Electronic transactions.  A lot of us think that the internet or Cell phones are safe.  In fact they are the unsafest and the easiest method for Stolen ID or account information. 

7.  Lost your keys?  I have seen key chains and key valets in which the owners address is engraved on the valet of key chain.  What a silly idea!?!  If you lose your key and a stranger finds it, now you are letting the stranger where you live.  Why don’t you also note the hours you won’t be home and the combination to your safety deposit box and your security key code so that if he/she decided to visit your home (while you’re away), he/she would feel at home.  If I lose my keys, I will make it less troublesome for me and let the police know (IMMEDIATELY MAKE A REPORT).  If I have to take a drastic measure, I will change my house door locks and possibly do the same with my cars.

Making a report WILL PROTECT YOU IN DISPUTING CHARGES, ACCOUNTS and rescues you from a whole long list of other troubles.

“If the keys are surely lost, let it stay lost.”  Don’t invite strangers to your domain.

There are some websites that claim to be secured websites, but in reality they are not. 

I still like to do my “on-line” transactions over my land line phones.  If I truly have to perform an “on -line” transactions, I will LIMIT such transactions to particular TRUSTED companies and through ONE particular bank account in which I review every day *(as a lot of my transactions go through that account and it requires me to monitor the account closely).  You may say, “who has time to monitor an account daily?”.  Believe me when it is your money, credit and life “on the line”, you will protect it (IF YOU CARE).

Anyway, I don’t agree with some people who hand their credit cards to someone they recently met, their car keys to a newly found friends

Best of Luck,

Mike Samadi

Any questions?  Go to Q & A of http://www.MasterCreditRepair.net, read and post.  Go to the “Comment” page and post your story or comment.  Your personal information will remain confidential.  Joint my membership club (coming soon).



Annie

Daryl Campbell asked:


It’s that time of year.

This is when we all start getting those emails that want to steal our secret codes and passwords. You know the ones: “Your Account Is About To Be Closed,” “There’s A Block On Your Account,”, “Congratulations You’ve Won The Lottery (that you never entered).”and my favorite “Could You Help Me Claim My Funds?”.

This is also the time of year when we start shopping for gifts and the last thing you need is for your bank or credit card accounts to be stolen by “cyber grifters”. They are counting on some of us to follow the instructions in the email.

First and foremost, DON’T FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE EMAIL! If you think there might be a problem, access the account in question as you normally do on your PC and not with the link supplied in the phony email.

I’ve had some very authentic looking email supposedly from banks, that even went so far as to copy the colors of the bank logo and stationery style. But, don’t fall for the scam. In fact, don’t even open the email, because many are just set to loose a virus program on your computer by being opened. Simply forward the suspicious email to the “spoof email” address supplied by your bank, or credit card company.

Identity Theft is a worldwide epidemic. According to the Better Business Bureau and Javelin Research, almost 9 million Americans fell prey to identity theft this year with fraud costing businesses and individuals over $56 billion dollars.

There are ways to reduce your chances of identity theft:

1. Understand debit card dangers: When it comes to fraud, debit cards carry much greater personal liability than credit cards, depending on how quickly you report the loss of the card. If you fail to report unauthorized use within 60 days of receiving your bank statements, you could lose all the money in the account and be held responsible for the amount of money that has been tapped from your line of credit.

2. Rethink check writing: That little slip of paper has way too much information. Some experts advise against check writing because it gives away your address, bank account number, signature and license number to complete strangers. On top of that, there’s no federal legislation to limit your liability for forged checks (each state has its own set of rules). Experts advise that you look into automating your bill paying.

3. Secure your mail: Your mailbox is a goldmine of information. Between bank statement, bills, and all those pre-approved credit card offers, your mailbox is loaded with personal data which identity thieves can use to easily apply for a credit card in your name. Unless you diligently check your credit report, you may never even know about it. One way to avoid this is to have your mailbox under lock and key, but most of us in Santa Clarita have our mailboxes at the curb in front of our house and the postman frowns on carrying dozens and dozens of keys around. The other solution is to have a rented mailbox, or to foil “dumpster-diving” thieves by buying a shredder and destroy documents before discarding.

4. Go virtual: For shopping online, there are “virtual” card numbers. These are randomly generated credit card numbers that are disposable and that on-line shoppers use once and throw away. It’s linked directly to your real credit card account so purchases show up on your monthly bill. The service is easy to use and it’s FREE! All you need to do is register with companies offering the virtual card, and they are MBNA, Discover, and Citigroup.

5. Create an emergency identity kit: Would you know how to contact your credit card company in an emergency? Create an emergency kit that contains: your account number, expiration date, issuing company name, and emergency contact number for each card you own. While you’re at it, make copies of your driver’s license, social security card, birth certificate and passport and store them in a locked box or file cabinet, or a safe deposit box. I like the safe deposit box best, because this gives you protection in the event of a catastrophe such as fire, earthquake, etc.

This may all seem like a lot of unnecessary work, but if you’re ever the victim of identity theft even just once you’ll realize that it’s well worth the effort.

Many of us forget that were it not for what we carry in our wallets or in our purses, we’re all John and Jane Doe’s if we can’t speak due to injury or are unaccompanied by someone who knows us. How much less stressful is it to know that in a bank box, no matter where you are, there are items that can verify your identity. Better to be safe, than sorry!



Victoria

Ann Marier asked:


The identity theft of social security number is an issue that is incredibly important, and so you really want to take this matter into as serious consideration as you can. After all, in regards to identity theft in general, identity theft of social security number is one of the most common issues, and this is why you are going to want to learn as much as you can about the matter of identity theft of social security number.

More About Identity Theft of Social Security Number

In regards to the issue of identity theft of social security number, there is much that needs to be known. For instance, there is the fact of how you should never carry your social security card around with you unless you really have to, and this way you have less chance of losing it while you are out.

As well, when you do have it at home, you should make sure that it is somewhere safe, where no one else knows where it is and where it will not get lost. This is one of if not the absolute most important piece of identification that you have, and your social security card is the key thing that a person would need in order to steal your identity, which is why you should always make sure that you know where it is and that you make sure that it is safe.

If you do happen to lose it, you are going to want to make sure that you call the authorities right away, and that you notify everyone that you have to that the card has been lost or stolen, and make sure that everyone is aware of this. Then you want to make sure that you get yourself a new card, and if the old card never turns up, you want to make sure that you keep a status on it.

This means asking to see if the number has been used or reported anywhere, because if it has then you know that someone has found it and that they are using it, which obviously is illegal. Just make sure that you make yourself as informed as possible and that you take all of the right steps in order to protect yourself and take care of yourself if you do end up losing your card or having it stolen.



Kevin

Michelle Oaks asked:


theft is a huge problem and as the economy has gotten worse so has identity theft. There has never been a time when it was more important to protect yourself from identity theft than now.

You may be wondering how you can protect yourself but first I think you should understand How bad identity theft has really become.

Here are some scary facts about identity theft – what is now the fastest-growing crime in the nation:

· There have been over 9 million victims a year for two years running

(Better Business Bureau and Javelin Strategy & Research, January 2005)

· Identity theft has been the top consumer complaint to FTC five years in a row

(Federal Trade Commission, National and State Trends in Fraud and Identity Theft, February 1, 2005)

??????· Identity theft has claimed over 30 million victims in past five years

(Federal Trade Commission, 2003 and Better Business Bureau, 2005)

WOW! Identity theft has become a nationwide problem with millions of victims of all ages.

Here is a fact that will probably surprise you. In 2003, nearly 7 million people became victims of identity theft in the previous 12 months. That breaks down to around 19,178 per day, 799 per hour, and 13.3 per minute.

It is a fact, according to the US Department of Justice, that drug trafficking is now being replaced by identity theft as the number one crime. This affects all of us in one way or another.

Either you, or someone you know becomes a victim of identity theft.

AND, identity theft causes stores and credit card company to raise prices and their rates, respectively.

So what does this mean? We all pay for identity theft in some way so we all need to protect ourselves and our loved ones and we need to be sure to report as soon as possible anyone that we suspect of trying to steal someone’s identity.

Although identity theft scams most often happen over the phone you need to be careful where-ever you are. They could contact you online, over the phone or even come to your door.

Be sure to provide the police with any pertinent information that you may have. Time, location, what the person looked like, sounded like, caller id information, what type of vehicle-kind, color, year, distinguishing marks on the person or their vehicle, etc.

For many people it will probably take hundreds of hours, and an average of $1,000, just to recover from ID theft. Even worse is that in some innocent victims have ended up in prison because identity thieves have been committing crimes in their names. Thus, the victim then ends up being victimized twice.

Now hopefully this has shown you why identity theft prevention is so important. We want to help you to protect yourself from this awful nightmare. We have an excellent resource to help you to protect yourself so that you never need worry about becoming a victim of identity theft. Find out about the different ways that these scammers will use to steal your identity and how you can protect yourself from them.

Now, if you would like to find out more about how identity thieves can steal your identity from you in the first place then please send a blank email to .

identity-theft-facts@freeautobot.com



Thelma

John Goldman asked:


Identity theft has become very common throughout the world and specially in United States where the ID thieves take advantage of the daily opportunities to find your personal information to be used in their benefit either to commit crime or for funds. It is quite easy for the thieves to steal your identity and you might not even know that you are a victim until you find your accounts being hacked.

The thieves would just slip off your wallet or search in your trash bin to find any credit card or banks statements or your social security number. Additionally it can actually get really difficult for you to fix up your credit and restore everything back to normal.

Using id theft hotline number

Despite this the good news is that the victims of id theft have more and easily accessible options than before in protecting and reporting identity theft. According to the FTC or Federal Trade Commission there are 4 crucial actions that you must take in order to minimize credit damages being caused due to id theft.

Firstly you should contact any of the 3 major credit bureaus through their hotline number or through email. This can get you to speak to their identity fraud department and can also request them to place a fraud alert on your credit report. After the credit bureau confirms the fraud alert the remaining two agencies would automatically place alerts instantly. When there is a fraud alert placed on your credit report the creditors will have to contact you before they can open any new account under your name or change any detains of the previous accounts. This is all possible through the identity theft hotline number.

It is important that you check your credit report every year to find out if there are any errors in the report. In case you find any errors or a suspicious activity then immediately contact the creditors through their hotline number so that they become aware about the unauthorized activity in your account. This can include informing authorities of your bank accounts, loan lenders, credit card companies, phone companies, utilities and even internet service provider. You must also contact the fraud department of the company by phone so that proper action is taken.

In case you find that thieves are running bad checks by your name then immediately close the account and inform your bank. In case you are not sure about their hotline number then visit their online website for details.

Most of the people are actually not aware about identity theft hotline numbers which is important in case of emergency. This means that if you have lost your wallet then you will instantly want to place fraud alerts on your credit cards and bank accounts. Therefore the best and the fastest method would be thorough phone. In case you are not aware about the id theft hotline numbers then you can visit the official FTC website to find contact number of all the major credit reporting agencies including banks.



Stephen

Bernard Pragides asked:


Why Insurance Agents Should Offer Identity Theft Protection Service

Statistics in print, online and other media show that identity theft has become a major topic of discussion over the past few years. In fact, the figures regarding the costs and time involved in identity theft – both for businesses and individuals is almost staggering. With this in mind, a new type of insurance has been established as a result. And it’s known as personal identity theft insurance.

Personal Identity Theft Insurance Coverage

Here are some of the main points covered by personal identity theft insurance. Check with insurance agents in our area for more details and to see what’s covered in your area.

1) At this point in time, personal identity theft insurance basically averages between $25 and $50 per year. It mainly covers up to around a sum total of $15,000 through $25,000 worth of expenses, including some lost wages that may result from time taken off work to handle the identity theft-related fraud issues. However, coverage incurred for this benefit most often will not surpass $500 in a week’s time plus it is more often than not limited to four weeks in full of total coverage.

2) Some attorney fees may also be included in this coverage, so check accordingly with insurance agents / providers. They’ll also have limits, if this is covered.

3) Some insurance coverage for personal identity theft may also extend to long distance fees, notary fees and certified postal mailing costs for the competing and delivering of fraud affidavits so that they go to the right parties involved.

4) Some additional fees that may be required when reapplying for new installment and other loans plus new credit cards, even for accounts that were possibly turned down earlier because of the fraudulent credit information may also be covered, at least to a certain extent with identity theft insurance.

Note that while personal identity theft coverage is in itself not an actual ‘fix’ for your credit record, history or criminal record, it does help pay for many expenses associated with the fix for you in time, help, money and reaching out to clear things up. Overall, the insurance for identity theft will most often cover expenses totaling up to and not exceeding $1,000. But every little bit helps! And to many, $1,000 can represent a huge chunk of time and money, especially when your know upfront that the chips will be down: i.e. that you’ll be bummed, busy trying to juggle your regular daily activities while being right smack in the middle of chaotic theft.

Take steps to safeguard your private and personal information.

Help reach out to others you know to alert them to this info for their safety. Print out helpful articles like this and share copies with others, even emailing them as well to help others stay safe online and off.

Also bookmark helpful sites and blogs and subscribe to them. This will help you stay advised of alerts and updates regarding identity theft issues and topics are also great ideas.

So know you know why insurance agents should offer Identity Theft Protection Service. Spread the word!



Alvin

Ronald Hudkins asked:


Okay so you’re feeling smug and savvy because you know all about Fraud Alerts. Despite the fact you accomplished it for free and only had to actually contact one of the major credit reporting agencies you want everyone to know who to call. You tell them the following places need to be called to put a Fraud Alert on your credit report; Equifax at number 1-800-525-6285, Experian at their number 1-888-397-3742 and the final place, TransUnion at number 1-800-680-7289. You further explain that these initial 90 day fraud alerts entitle them to free copies of their credit reports. All your friends should be sure to check those credit reports for debts on their accounts that are unexplainable, company inquiries from businesses they haven’t actually contacted and/or accounts they haven’t actually opened. That’s good proactive initiative.

Did you happen to mention that fraud alerts aren’t actually the solution to every possible means of identity theft? Did you know that a Fraud Alert does nothing to detour an identity thief from opening new credit accounts in someone else’s name that don’t require a credit check? You know, things like a wireless telephone account, wall mounted phone or even a bank account! Are you beginning to realize that too little information can be dangerous? Additionally, an ID Thief can still use someone’s existing credit cards or other accounts. Not only that, if there is an identity crime already happening when a fraud alert is placed, this alert alone does nothing to stop the crime. You can however take solace in the fact that you were partially correct as fraud alerts are in fact useful in thwarting the thief in opening a new line of credit.

The initial fraud alert stays on a credit report for only 90 days and if someone remembers, they have to renew this alert every three months. It is good to place this type of alert on one’s credit if they suspect they are (or are about to be) a victim of identity theft. These alerts are a good course of action should one say, realize they are a victim of a “Phishing” scam or their wallet or purse has been stolen. This is basically an alert to creditors while considering someone for credit for the business to enforce reasonably policies that implement procedures that require identity verification prior to issuing credit in a person’s name. Businesses may make an effort to verify however, their reports aren’t always a guarantee that applicant sitting before them is who they say they are.

A person has the option as well to place an extended fraud alert of their credit report that actually remains in place for a period of seven years. This can be done if you are a victim of identity theft. You must however supply the consumer reporting agency an identity theft report. The report procedure is the subject of another article as it is a lengthy process. Anyway, this extended alert requires potential or pending creditors to actually contact you or, meet with you face-to-face before they actually approve the credit request. Yes, this can cause delays when you are trying to get credit but to enhance the processing requirements one can simply provide a current and viable cell phone number to be reached at easily in their efforts to have their identity verified.

When a person undertakes the initiation of an extended fraud alert, they are entitled to two free credit reports annually from each of the three national consumer credit reporting agencies. These companies will at the same time remove a person’s name from pre-screened credit offers that marketing lists maintain. The credit reporting agencies will make sure a name stays off marketing lists for a period not less than five years unless, a person specifically requests to be put back onto marketing offer listings.

I’d just like to say initial or extended fraud alerts are great measures in anyone’s effort to wage war against the identity thief but, are just the tip of an iceberg when it comes to efforts needed to combat this ever increasing crime. Don’t get over confident with too little information. Consider looking into the professional services of a credit watch service. A credit watch service has the whole picture of what it takes to catch a thief and protect your good name and/or credit. Some are better than others so do what the Federal Trade Commission recommends on all contracts for a service or product: read the small print. If you’d like to enlist a highly proficient credit watch service used and trusted by the author check out his resource bio following this article. This service offers more then all others and stands behind their professionalism with a million dollar per individual guarantee.



Yolanda

Charles White asked:


cacy of technologies has generated intricate crimes to be possible. Have you watched those films featuring a group of local goons stealing a highly-guarded museum operating right at a backyard? How about flicks in which ordinary Mr. Joe transforms into a very rich and powerful businessman after “pilfering” another person’s identity? So do I make myself clear: technology makes no bounds for what can be done today. Let’s speak about the mentioned films here …

Identity theft is a fast-growing crime in the world, most especially in America. The Federal Trade Commission estimates that 10 million Americans experience identity theft every year. That’s really a lot, huh! With your own ID, criminals may get a credit card, open a new line of credit, rent an apartment, or open a telephone account. They can practically create, or more aptly waste, a life at your expense. The victim may not find out about the theft until after the crime is complete or until you are contacted by a debt collector. Now that’s really awful!

So how do you define identity theft anyway? According to identitytheftlabs.com, the definition of “identity theft” varies from Webster’s to Wikipedia and others. The Web site suggests that the FTC, in this case, does a fine job of outlining the situation. Identity theft, says FTC, is when someone uses your personal information, like your SSN, name, bankcards, etc. without your authorization, to perpetrate fraud or other crimes.

How serious is this kind of crime? Identity theft is a very serious crime. While some victims can resolve problems quickly, others spend thousands of dollars and vast amount of time to resolving damage to their good name and credit records. Some victims of identity theft may lose out on job opportunities, or have education, housing, or car loans rejected. In rare cases, people have been arrested for crimes they did not commit.

Identity theft can be avoided if you keep your identity at utmost privacy. But then again a lot of organized theft rings operating online and offline to steal your identity. These criminals are always one step ahead and constantly trying to find ways to overcome obstacles to their operations. Having stored your identity and information on any server puts you at potential risk for identity theft.

There are identity theft protection plans being offered by financial institutions which reimburses for out-of-pocket expenses up to a certain dollar amount and helps with the process of contacting creditors, writing affidavits and filing reports. Some plans are free as part of checking or savings account and others may charge a monthly fee.

But there is a better way to avoid identity theft… avoid it at the onset! With services provided and accessible online, there are companies that extend proactive identity protection from these possible issues for just $0.25 to $0.30 per day. These companies not only furnish the best protection from identity theft but also support their services with identity insurance guarantees of up to one million dollars.

Among others, LoudSiren, LifeLock and Trusted ID are good examples of companies that have combined a few basic technologies into very affordable and valuable services. You can easily decide for yourself which company to choose by comparing the track records of Lifelock, LoudSiren and Trusted ID. Additionally, there are also available online reviews for these companies that cater to theft protection.



Roger