As if we didn’t have enough to worry about these days, we now have to neurotically monitor our credit reports so as to make certain that a criminal isn’t trying to steal our identity. Staying one step ahead of identity thieves can be overwhelming, but knowing exactly what to do to keep your personal information safe can make the process a little less nerve racking.
Identity theft and identity fraud are terms used to refer to crimes in which someone wrongfully obtains and uses another person’s data in a way that involves fraud or deception, typically for economic gain, according to the Department of Justice.
The United States Postal Service has reported that there were approximately 10 million incidents of Identity Theft in 2004. In 2009, a report released by the Federal Trade Commission reported that there were 721,418 consumer complaints of fraud and 278,078 consumer complaints of identity theft. The study shows that credit card fraud was the most common form of identity theft followed by phone utilities fraud and bank fraud.
These daunting statistics should serve as a warning to those of us who have managed to steer clear of identity theft criminals. In order to keep from becoming a statistic, it is crucial to become familiar with the ways criminals can acquire some of your most personal information and use it against you, leaving your credit score and reputation severely damaged.
- ‘Shoulder Surfing’ is a term used to describe criminals that target people in public places who may be punching in telephone calling cards, or reading credit card numbers aloud over a cell phone.
- ‘Dumpster Diving’ refers to criminals who dig through garbage bins in order to obtain copies of checks or credit card and bank statements.
- Responding to “spam” emails is an easy way for crooks to obtain personal information from you. Many emails may seem as if they are coming from your financial institution, asking for personal information such as account numbers, pin numbers, and social security numbers.
- Stealing your wallet may be all an identity theft criminal needs as many of us carry multiple I.D.’s, all or most of our credit cards, and even our social security card.
Knowing what thieves are looking for can help you protect yourself from an exceedingly damaging crime.
- Rather than placing outgoing mail into your personal mailbox, instead, make it a habit to drop it into a U.S. Postal Service mailbox. Also, when heading out of town, make sure to stop by the post office first and ask them to hold your mail while you’re away.
- When using an ATM, make certain that nobody is standing behind you and always use you hand as a shield to keep any prying eyes from seeing your pin number.
- If you are making a payment via cell phone and need to disclose your credit card or debit card number, make sure you are in a secure location and out of earshot from anybody standing close by. Or better yet, enroll in bill pay and pay all your bills online fast, easy and secure.
- Invest in a shredder and use it for any financial statements, billing statements or credit card offers, or, enroll in eStatements, a free service that delivers your monthly statements online, reducing the risk that a criminal will find then and have full access to your account information.
- Leave your Social Security card at home!
- Don’t throw away any bank or credit card statements without first examining them closely for any fraudulent activity.
- Monitor your credit report at least once a year for any wrong or unfamiliar activity.
If you suspect you are the victim of identity theft, contact the fraud departments of each of the three major credit bureaus immediately.
Please share your thoughts with us in the comments. Was this story of value to you? What ways do your protect yourself from identity theft? Let us know!
With the summer season in full swing, it’s tough to think about going back to school. Before you know it though the long summer days will be over and the time for homework, school supplies and football games will be upon us once again.
