No matter what corner of the modern world you are reading this, chances are good that you have heard that identity theft is a big problem.
There are a number of ways in which identity thieves can breach your security and gather your personal information. The good news is that your protection from ID theft will be much easier to manage when you know what to watch out for.
Let's start with email. Most of us get dozens of them every week. If you're one of those that does get a lot of email, you need to be especially aware of online protection from ID theft. For example, one good tip is to delete any email that is from anyone that you do not know.
Unfortunately, many of the people who run online "phishing" scams through email know how to get around any basic knowledge about protection from ID theft. They do this by concealing their true email addresses and disguising them to look like they are from reputable sources like banks, utility companies, and financial institutions.
For example, imagine getting an email that looks like it is from your bank. The email might say that some of your accounts have been breached and so the bank will need to verify your personal information.
That email may or may not get your instincts about protection from ID theft to kick in at all, since it looks official and the communication sounds urgent.
However the reality is that this particular email did not come from your bank at all. If you supply the personal information that is asked for without worrying too much about protection from ID theft, you have just willingly breached your own security.
These are the sorts of ways that identity thieves can steal your information online, but they can also steal your information in other more common ways, too.
Believe it or not, one of the easiest ways is over the telephone. All a thief has to do is call you up and claim to be from your bank, your credit card company or any company that you do business with.
Once again though, protection from ID theft needs to be your number one priority and squarely in your mind at all times.
It is important to remember that legitimate companies understand the need for discretion with personal information. They really do want to encourage your security, peace of mind, and protection from ID theft.
So, any company that you do business with is not going to ask you to give them personal information over the phone or email. Businesses know better.
Instead they might send you regular mail correspondence or phone you and have you call them back at the number on your bill, statement or credit card.
In the end, the best way to do business with your bank or credit card company is to do it in person. If the company is too far away for that, you can simply call them at a verifiable phone number.
Generally when people call you asking for personal information, it's a clear sign of identity theft about to happen. Remember this for your own security.
Protection from ID theft doesn't just happen automatically. In fact, it often happens or doesn't happen because of you and your actions.
Be sure to pay very close attention to who you give your personal data to at all times, no matter how official the request appears to be
Identity Theft - Different Ways People Steal Your Identity Identity and Theft: Solving The Identity Theft Nightmare Identity Theft Facts Identity Theft By Family And Friends Identity Theft - 5 Ways You Can Become a Victim - Identity Theft Protection and Credit Card Fraud Five Myths Concerning Identity Fraud
0 comments:
Post a Comment