Identity theft and protection review stresses the importance of being aware everyday that everybody has our information. People are living today with identities like an open book. So I thought it might be a good idea to help others by writing an identity theft and protection review. Never get complacent on how your personal information is handled. People do just that each and everyday, without giving it any thought at all. You pay bills and they have all your information. Drugstores have it, supermarkets, retailers, you name it, and you really can’t control it.
Identity Theft And Protection Review
Everyone has your information. Hospitals, doctors and dentists, grocery stores, the pharmacy, they all have it! You are exposed everywhere, everyday. Crooks have endless avenues to pursue in getting your information. In fact a search online in public records search will turn up a lot of our information, in seconds.
Imagine, someone using your name after they got a speeding ticket, or to get a job, or for health care payment in a hospital. Once crooks have some personal data, it becomes a powerful tool. They can run up debt, or pose as you to commit online with another victim.
You become a victim of a crime and don’t even know it. Now you are a victim because of identity theft of your own name.
Recognizing Identity Theft And Understanding What Protection You Need
Bad check writing and fake names has been used for decades. Although it is still common, it has become much more sophisticated. Today crooks use our own information to hide what they do and what they’re up to. We are more vulnerable than ever before.
For online protection of our computers, antiviral software is a necessity. Identity theft online is easy for hackers, if you don’t use strong passwords. Read my article Caught In The River City Media Data Breach
This is why it becomes very important for you to protect yourself. Become aware of anything that may help to stop someone from stealing your identity. Or the identity of someone you know.
We have become the first line of defense in trying to stop this enormous problem. To do that we need all information and education we can get to fight this in our society today.
Stay Vigilant – Conceal Personal Information
This scenario happens almost 3000 times every day. People who are not affected don’t really worry about it. It is up to each of us to secure and personally protect our identity by protecting our personal information.
You never know when the day will come and the stone is now in your shoe, and you are the one affected.
It will suddenly become very important to you, and will you know what to do? This is a devastating crime, and will make a big big difference in your life as you know it now.
Cleaning up the mess after someone has used your name to steal from you.
Identity Theft and Protection – Insist On Privacy In Public
How do most crooks get your information. Sometimes it is simply losing your wallet, with all your cards intact. Or, maybe someone has stole your wallet or purse.
You may have your mail stolen, or thieves going through your trash find out all about you.
Maybe they overheard something you said as you talk on your phone?
I personally have a pet peeve with hospitals and doctors offices. They make you stand there publicly and verbally give out loud all your personal information.
Or they repeat it, out loud in front of all the people seated in the office. It’s the perfect opportunity for someone to simply record it on their phone.
Identity Theft And Protection Tips for Personal Information
Today the crooks are much more sophisticated. Phishing emails asking about missing data somewhere or money you have won in some phony contest.
They contain links that once you click on them, take you directly to the crooks website. Then, malware is installed on your computer to download all your personal information.
When you practice good Identity theft protection for your personal information, you are your own watchdog. I wrote about more ways of keeping yourself safe in my article Personal Fraud Protection
Maybe someone, at the bank, or market has copied your personal information. They could have hacked the account, and now they use or even sell your information.
A crook could find your laptop or phone and just look through it. That is an easy way to find out phone numbers, and addresses, and maybe birthdays as well. Always keep you phone and laptop securely locked with a password.
What Else Can We Do To Protect Our Identity?
Never carry your social security number with you. Always shred all your documents before you put them in the trash. Lock up your mailbox, and stop your mail when you go on vacation or out of town for a few days. Be careful what you say on your phone in public.
Always protect your computer with anti-malware and spyware removal protection.
Check your credit reports often! Or consider hiring a credit monitoring agency, they can alert you of any new activity in your account.
Here is a list of tips recommended by the Fraud Division of the FBI
Tips for Avoiding Identity Theft and Fraud
- Never throw away ATM receipts, credit statements, credit cards, or bank statements in a usable form.
- Never give your credit card number over the telephone unless you make the call.
- Reconcile your bank account monthly, and notify your bank of discrepancies immediately.
- Keep a list of telephone numbers to call to report the loss or theft of your wallet, credit cards, etc.
- Report unauthorized financial transactions to the bank, the credit card companies, and the police as soon as you detect them.
- Review a copy of your credit report at least once each year. Notify the credit bureau in writing of any questionable entries. Then, follow through until they are explained or removed.
- If your identity has been assumed, ask the credit bureau to print a statement to that effect in your credit report.
- Should you know of anyone who receives mail from credit card companies or banks in the names of others, report it to local or federal law enforcement authorities.
Identity Theft And Protection Help For Victims
Federal Trade Commission – FTC: a non-investigative agency, the FTC collects information about ongoing scams to share with law enforcement.
If you have been a victim of identity theft, visit Identity Theft Recovery and learn how to recover from the identity theft nightmare.
More help:
- Consumer Response Center – FTC | 1-877-382-4357 | www.ftc.gov
- FTC Identity Theft Hotline | 1-877-438-4338 | www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0014-identity-theft
- Do Not Call Registry – FTC | 1-800-275-8777 | www.donotcall.gov
- National Credit Reporting Agencies
- Equifax | 1-800-525-6285 | www.equifax.com
- Experian | 1-888-397-3742 | www.experian.com
- Trans Union | 1-800-680-7289 | www.transunion.com
Internet Identity Theft And Protection – Reporting Agencies
I have collected a list of the different agencies you can use should you need them.
To Report Internet Fraud, File a Complaint, or Read The Latest Warnings at The ICCC
- Internet Crime Complaint Center | www.ic3.gov
- U.S. Postal Inspection Service: To report ID Theft that involves the U.S. mail. | 1-800-275-8777
- Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) | 1-800-732-0330 | www.sec.gov
- National Foundation for Consumer Credit: Prevent victimization by private consumer credit agencies. | 1-800-388-2227 | www.nfcc.org
- National Consumer’s League National Fraud Information Center | 1-800-876-7060 | www.fraud.org
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging: For information on services for elders in your location | 1-800-677-1116 | www.eldercare.gov
More Fraud Reporting Agencies
- Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline: To report theft or fraudulent use of your SSN. | 1-800-269-0271 | www.ssa.gov
- Direct Marketing Association DMA opt out service stops pre-approved credit card offers: To remove your name from mail, phone, or e-mail lists. | 1-888-567-8688 | thedma.org/
- National Association of Attorneys General: For information on your state’s Attorney General’s Office and consumer protection services. | 1-202-326-6000 | www.naag.org
- National Crime Victim Bar Association: For information regarding filing civil lawsuits against a perpetrator or other responsible party and help locating attorneys specializing in victim-related litigation. | 1-202-467-8716
If you need help or have any questions, please contact me below.
Chas
If you want to learn more about spotting scams and how to avoid them, or how to start the business you have been dreaming about? Let me show you how it is possible, to work when you want, and live the life you have dreamed of living.
Helpful article on security! Identity theft is a growing problem beyond limit online now, because Everyone has our information. Hospitals, doctors and dentists, grocery stores, the pharmacy, they all have it! Crooks have endless avenues to pursue in getting your information.
In fact a search online in public records search will turn up a lot of our information, in seconds. I can say the best way to protect yourself against identity theft is to be diligent in protecting your personal information. Am a victim several times before but these tips for avoiding identity theft and fraud really come in handy to me now. I will say to my understanding that protection is personal and depends on individual to ensure their identity a free from theft because cleaning up the mess after someone has used your name to steal from you can be detrimental.
Hi Topazdude,
Yes our information is available almost anywhere. I always try not to give out my social security number any more than I have to. I am glad you found this article helpful. It is easier to stop the crook, than straighten out the mess, that is a fact! You can find more information here on Identity theft.
Thanks for leaving a comment,
Chas
Hello, this is quite an interesting topic. Identity theft has cause so much headache for different people. I completely agree with you that our information are stolen from either giving out our bio to agencies while some people eavesdrop, or through our stolen properties like wallet etc.
However, the most annoying modern identity theft is through phishing. One really need to be careful responding to emails that ask for our bio data. Sometimes they will claim they are from your bank, asking you to update one information or the other, other times they will tell you, you are a winner in one phony contest or the other. Once you click on the links, the process of identity theft has started.
Thanks for the tips, you have aptly summarized the whole thing. It was great reading your post.
HI Gracen,
I am glad you liked the article. We need to be aware and question every single request for our information, whether it is the bank or grocery store.Phishing emails are a problem for sure. Have you every seen the key for a new car in your mailbox? They are rigged contests, nobody wins a car! Talk about a phoney contest!! Thanks for leaving a comment.
Chas
This was a timely review on identity theft and protection steps we can and must take. These days the criminals are getting much more sophisticated, and our awareness and actions must also be stepped up to guard against this. I know that incidents have happened to my friends, and it has been costly and stressful for them.
Protecting personal information is important for each of us, and if we are operating any online websites or any business making sure we are aware of what and how to guard the personal information is important as well. Witness the security fails at some major organizations that have happened over the past couple of years (WalMart, Facebook, Health Agencies, etc.)
The tips and the government and other agencies that you have listed is a must-have for me. I have bookmarked this post and will refer to it whenever I hear about someone having problems, as they often flail about and do not know what steps to take nor where to get help. Thanks for this excellent posr!
Hi Dave,
It has become so commonplace we all see to know someone who has become a victim. It has almost become an epidemic. The latest data breaches like River City Media, and the Equifax data breach have put hundreds of millions of people at risk of Identity Theft.
The purpose of my site is to help those who need to know where to go.
Thanks for leaving a comment,
Chas
This is a very informative review on identity theft and protection. I agree with you completely that people’s information can be stolen unknowingly through phishing sites. Many have been a victim of identity theft and as a result, people’s accounts have been hacked. And in the process sometimes massive funds have been lost. All the steps in avoiding identity theft mentioned in your article are very important for people to take note. Thanks for this vital information.
Hi Fortune,
People need to be aware of how much information they give away each and everyday. The simple things we do like giving out our social security numbers to everyone puts us at risk. Crooks hack the pharmacy and retrieve information they should not have gotten. Yes, and giving information to the unsecured sites makes it easy for crooks to get the goods on you. Thanks for leaving a comment.
Chas