| |
Identity theft is a situation in which one person
steals another’s personal information including
that person’s name, address, social security
number,
credit history and more. The primary
motivation for stealing another’s identity is
attain some form of financial gain. Identity theft
most often happens to individuals but it can also
happen to businesses.
Identity theft isn’t hard to commit. All a thief
has to do is find a
credit card statement with account number
intact and he or she can use that number to go
online and purchase practically anything. Ordering
by telephone is just as easy. The person making
these types of purchase isn’t required to provide
proof of identity or a signature.
The above situations are serious, but when
identity theft of personal and banking
information occurs, the person committing the
crime can literally wipe out a victim’s entire
life savings. Fraud of this type can take many
forms including bank drafts, wire transfers, and
check forgery.
Other criminals pull off identity theft by
eavesdropping or by hacking into databases that
store sensitive data. Phishing and email
announcements that claim an individual has won a
bogus contest are also common ways identity theft
is committed.
Those who have been a victim of identity theft
find that although they may not be financially
liable for some damage, recovery can take months
and even years. Victims have had their credit
ruined, their money stolen, and have even had
crimes committed in their names!
There are many ways you can keep from becoming a
victim of identity theft. Most important way is to
never divulge your personal information to anyone.
That includes your credit card numbers, PINs, your
social security number, bank account numbers and
other identifying information.
Those looking to commit identity theft will go
through the trash looking for bank and credit card
statements and other types of mail that reveal
another’s personal information. That’s why you
should always shred anything containing personal
information prior to its disposal. Firewalls can
protect your computer from hackers and anti-virus
software protects from becoming inflicted by
unwanted viruses.
You should also create passwords that will be
difficult to figure out rather than using
birthdates or names of favorite sports teams. And
always carefully review every financial statement
you receive.
There are other ways you can protect yourself from
becoming a victim of identity theft. It’s worth
your time to research them and to implement all of
the safeguards you learn about.
|
|
