BetaFlux asked:

Protect your identity by using a cool little program called RoboForm. Help stop the hackers. RoBoForm Download and Faq’s page: www.roboform.com Also Firefox browser offers much more security compared to IE-6 or 7 www.mozilla.com Mac users can use an eguivalent software called: 1passwd 1passwd.com Thanks DrLemur for this tip.

Harold

Joseph Troyer asked:




When a person’s financial or personal information is stolen by someone else and used illegally, it is called identity theft. Usually, a person’s identity is stolen so someone else can obtain bank accounts and credit cards in their name. Being the victim of this type of fraud often can set you back a few years financially and is difficult to recover completely from. With some helpful information and work, you can adequately protect yourself with some identity theft prevention measures.

There are many precautions that you can take to assure your assets are fully protected. Surprisingly, perpetrators need only a few personal details in order to steal identities so it’s important that you adequately protect yourself. Never throw important mail or documents away until all of your financial and personal information is blacked out. Consider using paper shredders to make it easier on yourself.

Even other, more unassuming, documents can be used by thieves to steal identities. Things like offers from credit cards that are received through the mail should be blacked out or shredded before being tossed out. Often, thieves look through garbage in search of these documents and use them to get credit cards in other people’s names. If you are worried about being exploited this way, place a fraud alert on your credit. All credit card applications have to be personally confirmed by you, either in person or by phone.

Thieves are fairly adept at obtaining info that has been comprised as well. You should consider, because of this, keeping all of your to-be discarded mail in the home until it’s time for trash day as opposed to just throwing it all out right away. Shredding or blacking them all out should still be done.

You should be careful with ATM pin numbers as well. Don’t pick obvious numbers like your anniversary or birthday and change them at least every six months. Refrain from writing it down or keeping it in your wallet or purse to prevent someone from learning it. Memorize the number instead.

Make sure to check the mail each day early and to promptly bring it all in. Be weary if you stop receiving bills and bank statements suddenly. Most crooks forge signatures at their post office to get another person’s mail forwarded to alternative addresses. Credit can then be obtained using that person’s information.

Carefully, take the time each month to look over your bank statements. You should keep an eye out for charges or withdrawals that weren’t made by you. These and other inconsistencies should be reported by you immediately to your bank. Lost credit or debit cards will need to be reported right away to your bank as well, even if they have been missing for only a few hours.

Cody

SBARTSTV asked:

Identity Theft Prevention Tips from TrustedID.com CEO Scott Mitic TrustedID Offers Tips to Help Consumers Protect Themselves from Identity Theft [08-Jan-2009] Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in America, affecting approximately 15 million consumers per year, or one new victim every two seconds. Armed with personal information such as Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, names and addresses, identity thieves can drain their victim’s bank accounts and commit fraud in their name. The latest forms of this crime have expanded to medical, child and social networking identity theft. With the ever-increasing amount of consumer data that is available on the Internet, it’s becoming easier for cyber criminals to piece together the elements they need in order to steal someone’s identity. In the current economic downturn, more and more instances of credit fraud and data theft are being reported across the country, and unfortunately no one is immune. Fortunately, there are some simple and immediate steps that consumers can take to proactively protect themselves from identity theft. Available video includes tips and comments by Scott Mitic, consumer advocate and CEO of TrustedID on how people can prevent ID theft and what they should do if they suspect it has already occurred, as well as related pick-up shots showing some common elements that e-criminals use to commit identity theft.

Amber

stungundotcom asked:

Social Security Numbers have become our national ID. You dont need to give out your SSN to everyone who asks. www.IDTheftSecurity.com

Lester

CentralTexasBBB asked:

BBB talks to KXAN about keeping personal information and sensitive documents safe by shredding and disposing of them properly. KXAN-TV (10/20/10)

Carolyn

SBARTSTV asked:

Identity Theft Prevention Tips from TrustedID.com CEO Scott Mitic TrustedID Offers Tips to Help Consumers Protect Themselves from Identity Theft [08-Jan-2009] Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in America, affecting approximately 15 million consumers per year, or one new victim every two seconds. Armed with personal information such as Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, names and addresses, identity thieves can drain their victim’s bank accounts and commit fraud in their name. The latest forms of this crime have expanded to medical, child and social networking identity theft. With the ever-increasing amount of consumer data that is available on the Internet, it’s becoming easier for cyber criminals to piece together the elements they need in order to steal someone’s identity. In the current economic downturn, more and more instances of credit fraud and data theft are being reported across the country, and unfortunately no one is immune. Fortunately, there are some simple and immediate steps that consumers can take to proactively protect themselves from identity theft. Available video includes tips and comments by Scott Mitic, consumer advocate and CEO of TrustedID on how people can prevent ID theft and what they should do if they suspect it has already occurred, as well as related pick-up shots showing some common elements that e-criminals use to commit identity theft.

Tamara

lexisnexisnetwork asked:

Learn how to reduce compliance risk and prevent losses due to identity theft. Identifying and acting on instances of identity theft is no longer “just another CIP policy” – it’s the law. With modifications to the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act effective November 1, 2008, the Identity Theft Red Flags Rule requires financial institutions and other credit-granting entities to implement a written Identity Theft Prevention Program to help detect, prevent and mitigate identity theft in connection with the opening of certain covered accounts or certain existing accounts.

Jill

M. Allen asked:




Identity theft, the act of stealing someone’s personal information to use for illegal purposes is a crime that can damage your credit rating, your personal or business reputation, and most assuredly your sanity. Identity theft is also a crime that can be prevented. There are many things we can do to make it at the very least tougher for thieves to steal our personal information.

Check your credit reports regularly. Many smaller charges may never come to your attention but will land on your credit report. Check your credit report carefully and note any accounts that you are sure don’t belong to you. Also, when denied credit because of information in a credit report you are allowed to ask for a free copy of your credit report from the credit bureau that issued the negative information. Once a year, everyone has the right to request a free copy of their credit report from any or all of the three major credit bureaus.

Be wary of credit monitoring offers. Even when purchasing a copy of your credit report from one of the three major credit bureaus, the cost is usually about $9. Why pay the hundreds of dollars that are charged by credit monitoring companies to do the same thing you should do, check your credit report regularly.

Watch out for imposters. Many scam artists attempt to pose as companies you do business with. They can contact you via email, through the mail, or over the phone claiming to need you to verify your personal information. Your suspicion should be heightened if you are contacted by a company asking you for information they should already have. Before responding to the inquiries, you should contact the company and ask if the request is truly coming from them.

Guard your sensitive information. The security of your social security number should be highly important to you. Your social security number is the master key that unlocks your identity. With it, crooks can access most anything in your name. Many medical and government institution use your social security number as your account number. Most are able to give you an alternate number to use if you express to them that you don’t want your social security number used. You should only provide your credit card or bank account numbers when you are actually buying something. These numbers could be used to drain your finances without your knowing about it. Also, it is always best to memorize your passwords and PIN numbers. It is far too easy for someone to use these if they find them in your wallet or purse.

Secure your personal information. Your offline world is filled with pieces of paper with your personal information. Whether in your car, at school, at work, or at home you should do your best to secure sensitive information behind a lock. It is also best to send outgoing bill payments from a public mailbox or the post office itself instead of from your house mailbox. Sometimes even incoming junk mail can contain accurate personal information. To properly dispose of these it may be useful to have a small paper shredder.

Get off credit marketing lists. Credit bureaus compile marketing lists for pre-approved offers of credit cards. These mailing lists are a jackpot for scammers and identity thieves. They can use these to apply for a credit card in your name and change the mailing address so it is sent to them instead. You can usually get your contact information removed from these marketing lists by calling 1-888-567-8688.

Protect yourself when online as well. The first thing to know is that email is not a secure method of communication. Do not send sensitive information like credit card numbers, social security numbers, or financial account numbers through email. When doing business with a website, look for clues that tell if it is a secure website or not. Even when getting a message that states your information is encrypted while it’s transferred to the website, you still want to look for information regarding how secure your information is kept by the company who will now have it.

Stay up-to-date on information regarding scams and identity theft. The more knowledge you have, the harder it is for the crooks.

Jorge

stungundotcom asked:

Two women who were victims of Credit Card Identity Theft, fraud and new account ID theft speak out. 1of2 www.IDTheftSecurity.com

Randy

Wade Young asked:




Shred. Shred anything that contains your private information. Thieves routinely rummage through dumpsters looking for items of use. Pieces of data are sold to perpetrators with laptops who wait patiently until enough knowledge is acquired to be valuable. Watch out for phishing. This is the practice of luring victims to a fake website via an authentic-looking email. The goal may be to get you to submit a password, for example. Do not respond to these requests. Instead, contact the company directly to find out if the communication is legitimate. Protect your debit card. Credit cards offer better protection, so use them instead when shopping online. Hand tricks. When handing your plastic to a cashier, keep your eye on it. Small, handheld devices can be used to achieve a swipe and download — a trick easily pulled off while your toddler has your attention. This scam is most easily pulled off in the back room where no one is watching, which is of particular concern when dining out. Major credit cards offer better protection, or pay cash at restaurants. Guard your pin. When inputting your pin, cover the keypad with your hand. You wouldn’t believe it, but a pair of binoculars may be watching. Another option is to obtain cash the old fashioned way — from the teller. Do not use your savings for overdraft purposes. If your primary account is compromised, your savings can be looted as well if the two accounts are linked. Choose your mortgage broker wisely. Your loan file is the mother lode. Financially speaking, it contains everything. Work with a professional who won’t toss your loan file in the garbage after it is no longer of use. Improper disposition of documents is rampant, and there are many bandits who regularly pilfer the dumpsters behind mortgage companies. Paying bills. Do not leave your bills in the “outgoing” box at your place of employment. Instead, deposit them directly in a USPS drop box, or pay your bills online. Properly dispose of old computers. “Deleting” doesn’t do the job. Use a cleaning program to make sure nothing is left behind. Security freeze. Consider putting a security freeze in place at Experian, TransUnion and Equifax. This prevents these agencies from releasing your information without your express written consent.

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