Identity Theft Articles

When I first started using Computer Associates EZ Trust antivirus software, it was available through a free one year trial download through the Microsoft website. This was long before I wrote articles about this type of product. I found it so effective, the following year, I signed up again. I recommended it to my college age son for his laptop computer, since it did not come with security protection. Over the years, CA Antivirus has grown and gotten a lot more attention, of the best kind. Others are starting to find out what I did long ago, that it is an effective and efficient form of computer protection that offers several features including antivirus, spyware, and even parental controls. Do I still use CA Antivirus? Well, that would not be an objective review would it? But I can tell you that I know many others that do still use it, and have been very happy with the results. This review tells you why they have felt so “secure.”

New features of CA Anti-Virus 2008:

* Automatic live updating
* Automatic file scanning
* Automatic e-mail scanning
* Scheduled hard drive scanning
* On-demand hard drive scanning
* Archive scanning
* Interactive virus detection messages
* Threat outbreak warning system
* File exclusion lists & file quarantine

The 2008 reviewers were happy with the new features of CA Anti-Virus 2008. They describe it as “very user friendly” and go on to say that “…CA seems to be scanning faster with this year’s version of the product.”

However, the following improvements to their product have been suggested: “We would like to see improvement in CA’s customer support. Such an improvement would enhance our overall rating. With that said, we still consider CA anti-virus software a wonderful virus protection product and deserving of a B+ Rating.”

CA Anti Virus 2008 is available for $39.99 a year for the first year and renewals are just $29.99 annually.

Remember Anti-Virus protection protects your computer from threats but anti-virus protection does not protect the PC users from the spyware and the threats of identity theft.

AC also offers AC Anti-Spyware 2008. AC offers a free downloadable version that will detect but not delete spyware threats. It can be a helpful, free tool to find out how many spyware threats have targeted you. If you need to repair and restore damage done as a result of spyware, you can purchase this one for $39.99 a year and protects up to three PCs.

Features of AC Anti-Spyware 2008:

* Detects and removes spyware in real time

* Automatic updates

* Stop Annoying Adware Pop-Ups

* Helps prevent theft of personal data

* Improves PC performance

For those of you who want to protect the confidential as well as the sentimental, you may want to consider a security suite that offers comprehensive coverage in a single protection product, which makes suites a money saver all around. Suites offer the convenience of one single download and several products for anti virus, spyware, adware, phishing protection as well as in the case of this one, parental controls and data back up. However, memory is a consideration with security suites. If your PC has less than 1 gigabyte of memory, a security suite may slow down your computer.

CA offers a security suite CA Security Suite Plus for $69.99 that covers three computers and includes anti-virus, anti-spyware and anti-phishing to further protect you from the risks of identity theft.

It is important when making a antivirus program decision to take inventory of what you have on your PC and how you use it. Many people use their computer as an all purpose entertainment, business, shopping and hobby tool. Being aware of how you use your computer, whether it is a holder of hobbies, a personal treasure trove or survival pack can help you decide what types of protection you need. Think carefully about what you do and have on your computer, as well as what your computer may need to protect it, because you can be sure that keyloggers, phishers, identity theft and other troublemakers will.

With identity theft on a continued advance upward and noted as the number one white collar crime in America today a popular option is for consumers to shut down (lock) access to their credit reports. This makes it nearly impossible for some criminal intent to reek financial havoc on an individuals well being and the process is known as a security freeze or credit lock.

As of the first of November in 2007, all three credit reporting agencies gave consumers in America the ability to limit access to their individual credit reports. Of course unless you are an actual victim of identity theft, the process is not actually free in most states. To put a freeze on your credit report as a simple proactive measure to avoid criminal theft of your information; costs in most states and fees very widely. One would have to go to each of the three credit bureau’s web sites for specific instructions and individual state fees. Additionally, to implement a freeze completely, the process to freeze your credit report has to be done at each agency: all of whom have various methodologies.

A credit freeze does provide substantial identity theft protection however, it is not without loopholes. It can not stop non-credit-related forms of ID theft, such as the creation of a duplicate driver’s license or criminal identity theft (when a suspect gives your name to police when booked for a crime). It also won’t stop an illegal immigrant or undocumented worker from using your Social Security Number to obtain employment.

Additionally, it won’t stop every company from accessing your credit report. New creditors are largely blocked out, yet still existing lenders i.e. your current credit card company (for example) can still view your report and offer you new credit cards. Also, collection agencies acting on behalf of these companies with your current account(s), state or local agencies that includes law enforcement, child support agencies, trial courts pursuant to a warrant or subpoena, credit monitoring companies and companies that sell credit reports to consumers are still viable accesses.

It also won’t stop those pre-approved credit card offers. The bureaus can still give your name and address to credit card companies. Of course, you can stop those mailings by making a simple call to 1-888-5OPTOUT or by visiting http://optoutprescreen.com

Putting a freeze in place requires some time consuming paperwork like sending certified letters. And it means keeping track of freezing and subsequent lifts of an imposed freeze. As stated earlier, it does no good to freeze one or two reports. If you want real identity theft protection, you’ll have to go through the motion and requirements to freeze all three credit agencies. If you want to get a new credit card, you’ll have to lift at least one agencies credit report freeze. To undertake a major investment such as buying a new home, you’ll most likely have to lift all three credit agency freezes then; turn around and make sure they are frozen again to safeguard your identity after the purchase is closed.

Gail Hillebrand, Consumers Union credit bureau expert, compares freeze fees to paying for insurance and stated “If you are the person in the household who will have to unravel an identity theft after it happens, then you probably think $10 a pop is a good deal.” Additionally, “Consumers who are already paying for $10-per-month credit monitoring services should cancel and pay for security freezes instead.” she concluded.

Despite the time consumption and varying requirements, a credit freeze is likely the most optimal thing you can do to stop most identity theft before it lurks its aggravating head. Think of it like the sign you place in your window that announces the premise is protected by an alarm system. Yes, the home can still be broken into but, many thieves who see an alarm would move on to another target. Identity thieves who come upon a security freeze when trying to get services in your name such as credit cards or loans are just as likely to move onto the next Social Security number.

Only the individual can decide what is best for their own circumstances. My only input would be with identity theft on the rampage, some kind of proactive measure is warranted to lesson chances of identity theft.

According to the Federal Trade Commission also known as FTC “you or someone you know may have experienced some form of identity theft. The crime takes many forms. Identity thieves may rent an apartment, obtain a credit card, or establish a telephone account in your name. You may not find out about the theft until you review your credit report or a credit card statement and notice charges you didn’t make-or until you’re contacted by a debt collector.” When I read that quote it really made me think just how serious this is and the negative affect this could have on my family and myself.

Being a Mortgage broker I know all too well the value of having great credit, guess what suffers the most when your identity is stolen? That right your credit. Picture this you’re at work you get a call from your wife whose at the doctor’s office because she’s been feeling a bit under the weather, She screams into the phone “I’m pregnant” just as your hearing is coming back she adds “it’s twins” This is actually good news you and your wife have trying to have a baby for the last 10 months while you weren’t planning on twins, this is an added bonus because you and your wife had plan on having 2 kids. And you’re thinking 1 pregnancy 1 set of crazy pregnant wife syndrome and all that comes with that you know what I mean moodiness, swollen feet and those 2am cravings that have you driving all over town trying to find an all night Krispy Kreme donut shop. But at the end of all that 2 kids, done. So you make dinner plans to celebrate, blow her a kiss, hang up, and try to get back to work. a near impossibility, your mind is now racing with all the things that will change. At dinner that night you and your wife laugh, cheered and had a great nonalcoholic dinner. After desert your wife informs you that your 2seater car that you love because it makes you look cool will be replaced by a MiNIVAN. It’s a good thing you had dinner already. But you console yourself by thinking I’ll get an SUV instead. She continues “we need to get a bigger house” This you agree with and suggest looking this weekend.

Let’s fast forward a couple of months your wife is starting show and after many weekends of driving around with your realtor that thinks every house she shows you is perfect for you, you finally find one that is. You make an offer that’s accepted you and your sign the contract every body is happy especially the realtor done deal. Not quite, you still have to get a mortgage. But this is no big deal you have great credit, been in the same job since college over 6 years now making good money. Your only concern is which mortgage should you get. You take a day off work to go with your wife to see your local banker who greets you by your last name you insist that he calls by your first name he agrees and comment how your wife is glowing. At his desk you explain the purpose for the visit and hand him the contract for your new home. He hands you a form to get some basic information that he needs to get the process started. One of the space on the form is for your social security number and for consent to pull your credit which you fill in and sign and hand it back to him. He takes it with a smile and start pounding away on his computer. You turn to your wife who can’t wait to leave to go look at new furniture you assure her this won’t take long just then your smiling banker calls you by your last name, and he’s not smiling anymore. He proceeds to tell you He will not be able to get you a mortgage for that house or any other house. Because not only is your credit score ridiculously low but according to your credit report you already own a house that you took an equity line against and is not paying. I know this story sounds far fetched but believe it’s not I can’t tell how many times I’ve seen this kind of thing happen and just how it can devastate a person.

It can happen to anyone. Your phone rings and you are confronted with a collection agency demanding that you pay past due accounts for services or products you never bought. What happened?

Identity theft struck 8.9 million victims in 2006. According to Javelin Strategy and Research 8.9 million people were victims of identity theft in 2006, totaling $56.6 billion in loss.

Identity thieves steal ATM cards, driver licenses, credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, and other items with personal identity information. These criminals then use the information to impersonate their victims. The common idea is to spend as much money as quickly as possible and then find another victim.

Common ways of getting personal information include:

• Dumpster Diving - Going through trash looking for personal information.
• Mail Fraud - Stealing mail, which includes checks, credit offers, anything that will give them the ability to get credit in your name.
• Shoulder Surfing - Capturing your PIN by looking on as you conduct your transaction.

As much as sixty-three percent of identity theft can be prevented by the consumer.

Some tips to prevent being a victim:

• Shred all documents with personal information i.e. birth dates, name, address, account numbers etc. It is highly recommended to use a cross cut shredder.
• Use a locking mailbox; do not leave mail in the box overnight.
• Shield the screen and keypad with your hand and body when you enter your PIN.
• Closely monitor your accounts for unidentified activity.

Prevent criminals from getting your personal identity information. Prevention is the most effective way to protect you from being an identity theft victim.

The best identity theft protection is not a software package that protects you from Spyware infestation. But the best identity theft protection in the first place is you!

What does that mean, well the best Spyware protection software is not going to be much helpful if you do not handle your personal privacy carefully?

It means you have to first think about these 7 questions:

1. How am I handling all kind of paper documents like bank statements and bills that I receive daily from the mailman?
2. What does somebody need from me if he wants to abuse my personal credentials to get a loan, or a false drivers license, or a mortgage, all on my name?
3. Where do I keep my passport and drivers license while I am asleep?
4. Can a pickpocket steal these things easy from me when I am shopping?
5. Can a burglar steal my home computer or my notebook from my car?
6. And if that is possible, is my private data safe, or can everybody find and read it without any problem?
7. What would be the consequences for me and my family if somebody did steal my Identity?

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There are at least 4 things you need to do, or have to organize:

1. Take care of your personal documents, especially if they contain some private facts like your address, bank account numbers, and social security number.
   • Use a personal safe for all documents to keep.
   • Use a shredder for private documents that you don’t need anymore, DO NOT put it in the garbage can.
2. Instruct your family members to be careful also with these things.
3. Protect every computer in your home that has private data on it, especially if it is connected to the Internet.
   • That means protection by setting up a firewall, that is the front door that keep intruders out, and prevent those that are already in to communicate with their makers who are somewhere on the internet.
   • Installing the best possible software that detects, prevents and eliminates Spyware.
   • Installing the best possible software that detects, prevents and eliminates Viruses, Worms, Trojans, and Root kits.
   • Install software that is able to create a special drive partition or map where you can store this private data with at least 128 bits encryption so nobody can read this without your secret password.
   • Of course you need to protect your computer / notebook with a secret Windows login username and password.
4. If you have done all this, than there is still one thing to consider: Every protection can be broken with enough time and tools invested in this course. Therefore it is a good idea to take some insurance in case this might happen in spite of all your precautions. The change that this will happen will be much lower but it is still possible.
   • Insurance means you have some agency who takes all kind of precautions with these credit bureaus placing credit alerts etc.
   • They do that periodically.
   • Have your name cleared from all kind of junk mail lists, and pre-approved credit card lists.
   • If you lose your wallet, they take care of all the hassle.
   • They do a lot more, saving you a lot of trouble and work to reclaim your good name and undo all the wrongdoings of those thieves.
   • If they have to go to court for you to solve any problem they will have a large budget to spend for lawyers etc. and it cost you only a small amount of money each year.