Identity theft is nothing new, but it seems the thieves are smarter and the scams more sophisticated than ever before from faking I.D.’s to forging checks to stealing complete identities of their victims. These scam artists use your credit cards to get money from your bank account; they purchase for themselves in your name and then sell them to obtain money. Meanwhile, a lot of damage could be done before you are even aware of the theft.
The extent and type of damage done to you determines how you should react. If someone gets access to your debit card and you report it to your bank in a timely manner, you won’t be charged for the loss. Most credit cards are the same. You may be responsible for the first $50 charged against your credit card but if you report it as stolen in the time your company allows, that is all you will have to pay. The real damage comes when someone is able to take advantage of your good credit and opens new accounts, charging thousands of dollars against your good name.
Thieves steal your identification in several ways. They may get mail, old bills that you throw out in the trash. They could hack into your computer and steal passwords and credit information if you pay bills online or order goods that way.
The damage that identity theft can do to your credit rating can persist for years, so it is important to take immediate steps to correct the problem. Here are some warning signs that your identity may have been stolen:
*You see withdrawals from your bank account that you can’t explain.
*You stop receiving bills in the mail.
*Merchants refuse your checks.
*Debt collectors call you about debts that aren’t yours.
*Your credit report shows unknown accounts or charges.
*Medical providers bill you for services that you did not use.
*Your health plan rejects your legitimate medical claim because the records show you have reached your benefits limit.
*A health plan won’t cover you because your medical records show a condition you don’t have.
*The IRS notifies you that more than one tax return was filed in your name, or that you have income from an employer you don’t work for.
*You get notice that your information was compromised by a data breach at a company where you do business or have an account.
(www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0271-warning-signs-identify-theft)
So how do you keep your personal information safe from theft? The same federal Trade Commission Consumer Information site offers the following suggestions.
To Keep Your Personal Information Secure Offline:
*Lock your financial documents and records in a safe place and lock your wallet or purse in a safe place at work. Keep your information secure from roommates or workers who come into your home.
*Limit what you carry with you. Take only the identification, credit or debit cards you need at that time. Leave your Social Security card at home. Your Medicare card is also a goldmine of information for a thief. Make a copy of it to carry with you and black out all but the last 4 digits of the number.
Think twice before sharing personal information like your Social Security number. If a doctor’s office, school or business needs personal information from you, ask how they will secure it from theft.
Shred all documents that you no longer need if they contain any personal information.
Destroy labels on prescription bottles before you throw them out. Don’t share your healthcare plan info with anyone who offers free health services or products.
Don’t leave mail in your open mail box. Anyone could steal it. Take outgoing mail to a Post Office or drop box where it is secure.
Be sure to ask for a vacation hold on your mail if you will be out of town.
Don’t have new checks sent to your home unless you have a mailbox that locks.
To Keep Your Personal Information Secure Online:
Never give out personal information on the phone, the Internet or email unless you initiated the contact. If you receive an email from a company claiming you have an account with them or saying you have won a contest you didn’t enter or anything slightly suspicious, don’t click on their link in the email. Instead, type their website info into your browser box and go to their site and click on their CONTACT US button. That way, you don’t compromise your own site in case said company turns out to be bogus.
Before you get rid of an old computer, it is crucial that you get rid of all the personal data on it. Use a utility program designed to wipe data off computers to overwrite the entire hard drive. Check the owner’s manual with your old computer for instructions for deleting information permanently from the device or to transfer information to a new computer.
To keep your browser secure, encrypt your data. Use encryption software that will scramble information you send over the Internet.
Keep your passwords private. Use unusual words and numbers so that no one will come up with the correct password.
If you are active on social media, don’t share your personal information there. An identity thief watches those sites and gathers data to help with his or her illegal activities.
Outfit your computer with anti-spyware software and add a firewall. Anti-virus software is also a good idea. It is amazingly easy for crooks to infiltrate your machine with viruses and spyware.
Never open attachments or download programs sent to you by strangers. Always look at the return address on an email to be certain it came from someone you know. I can’t tell you how many emails I’ve received over the years from friends, but the return address did not belong to them. Always check before opening or replying.
Read privacy policies. They aren’t fun to read but they do contain information about how a website keeps your data private and whether they make your information available to others.
(www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0272-how-keep-your-personal-information-secure)
In the digital world we live in, we must be vigilant about protecting our identity. While I have never suffered such a loss, I know several who had their identities stolen. Believe me, you do not want to deal with the repercussions. I know of one man who has been fighting with the IRS for years because of someone accessing his personal data. Finding and prosecuting these people is difficult, so be mindful of what you do, both online and offline, to protect your valuable personal information.
