Sunday 20 October 2013

What To Know About The Best Identity Theft Protection

By Elena McDowell


Identity theft is a crime. This involves stealing and using identity of another person without he or she having consent to do so. Usually this behavior is done in order to access credit and other resources. Using the best identity theft protection is recommended and a major priority for many people, as victims can face consequences for the criminal acts of thieves.

This kind of theft involves taking the name, social security number, credit card information, identification number or other personal info from an individual without permission. Usually this is done to commit crimes, including fraud. Most of the time, victims are not aware of the activity until a lot of damage has been done to ruin their financial status and identity.

There has been an increase in this type of theft in recent times. Some of the most common ways for thieves to get access to sensitive info is through hacking unsecure wireless networks or computers, email or phone scams, receipts or documents found in trash, or stolen credit cards or wallets. Once they gain access to this information they are able to purchase items, open new cards and even file for tax returns under your name.

There are numerous ways individuals can safeguard their personal information. Some tips and techniques are available at a cost. However, there are numerous free resources available to those looking to protect their identities.

In the modern times, the Internet and computers are used for all types of personal activities. People should set passwords with high strength and switch them out frequently. It is recommended to avoid passwords that can be easily guessed, are common or include birth dates, pet names, maiden names, and school or work names. A good password that is considered safe may include a couple capital letters, as well as a numeric or other character. Make sure to change out the password from time to time.

Individuals are also encouraged to be cautious of the information that they share on social media websites and other online spaces. A lot of information that is personal is shared on these sites and can be used by thieves to authenticate identities. Avoid posting your birth place, address, SSN, phone numbers or birth date on these websites.

Furthermore, make sure that sensitive personal information or financial documents are secure. A lot of people store this information on their personal computers and if they do, should make sure these devices are protected with a firewall, anti-spyware and anti-virus. Physical, hard documents that include sensitive information are to be shredded up before disposal. Other things that can be done: frequently checking credit report, not falling for scams, protecting mobile devices.

If you have reason to believe your personal information has been stolen, put a hold on credit and bank accounts, change passwords and file a complaint with officials. Even those with the best identity theft protection may find that their identity has been compromised. There are numerous free resources that offer information related to keeping potential thieves away.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment