What Can You Do to Protect Your Identity?
March 30th, 2010I’m sure you have all seen advertisments on TV about identity theft or perhaps you know someone who has been affected. I thought I would share some tips to protect yourself.
- Install anti-virus software on any computer used to access the Internet
- Keep your anti-virus software up to date
- Use a strong password for all Internet sites, especially banking
- Do not post your full street address or full birth date on social media sites
- Do not even open suspicious email
- Authenticate any email request from a company you do business with
- Shred offers for credit cards or loans before throwing away
- Shred bills after paying or sign up for online statements
- Do not give personal information to strangers on the phone
- Sign up for the Do Not Call registry
Anti-virus software can help stop programs from being inserted on your computer to collect information. It is important to install updates as they come in since new viruses are invented daily.
Try to pick passwords that are secure. Do not use your name, initials, birthday, anniversary, children’s birthdays, pet names, or anything easy for people to guess. The old advice about not writing your password down is good advice, but I would rather see you pick something secure and write it down and hide it then pick something easy to hack. And NEVER have your browser remember your password to any site that has personal information or control over any of your accounts. If your computer is stolen, the thief can control those accounts!
Social media sites have been used maliciously. Do not post too much information. Do not use applications that require you to share information if possible.
Don’t open email promising money waiting for you from UPS, FedEx, or some oversees attorney. If you accidentally open one, do not follow any of the instructions.
If you receive email from your bank or insurance company asking you to verify information, do not do it. Call them or check their main website for alerts. Most of them would never request such information. I once got an email from a company stating they were switching to new software and needed to verify all information to load the new database. It was a phishing scheme.
Shredders are not very expensive and definitely a must. You cannot prevent banks from sending credit card and loan offers, and if left intact they can be stolen from your trash. Bills should be shredded to prevent disclosing information. Most large companies offer online statements so you can totally eliminate the paper.
Sign up for the “do not call” registry to eliminate most phishing calls. This registry, I believe, is why these criminals are now targeting business offices (I wrote an article about that.) There is a loophole that if you do business with a company or you have in the past, they call still call you. So be wary of callers requesting any personal information. Tell them not to call you again; once told, it is illegal for them to call again and most of them will not risk it.
It is unfortunate that there are so many people we can’t trust! Rest assured that any legitimate business will not mind if you verify any request for information.
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