Millions of people have their identities stolen each year. Here are steps you can take to greatly reduce your potential risk.
Beware of the Word “Prevent”
No person and no product can 100 percent prevent identity theft. Sensitive personal information (SPI) such as banking or credit card account information is everywhere, housed and archived in a mind-boggling variety of ways. When it comes to protecting SPI, exercising vigilance is always your best bet. Be sure to research any product or service that guarantees identity theft prevention.
There Are No Guarantees
A number of instances of fraud can be restored to pre-theft status; but, some identity dilemmas simply can’t be fixed. If you’re on the “no-fly list” thanks to an imposter or error, you’ll stay there. A third-party solution cannot deliver a remedy. Once again, research any product or service before enlisting their help in restoring your pre-theft status. You also must realize this restoration takes time, and you need to work through the system for reparation.
Watch for Shoulder Surfers and Skimmers
Shield the entry of personal identification numbers (PINs) and be aware of people standing too close when using your credit- or debit-card in public. With the advent of cell phone cameras, a shoulder-surfing thief can get your private information easily if you’re not careful. It’s also advisable to use teller machines that are familiar to you, so you are in a better position to identify when the equipment looks different or doesn’t feel right.
Keep Your Social Security Card Safe at Home
There are very few reasons to carry around this crown jewel of SPI. Remember, ID theft and fraud are not exclusively credit-related — thieves can use a clean Social Security number to construct a whole new life.
Before Dumping Your Old Computer: Destroy the Hard Drive
Erasing data just enables the computer to write over that space again, it doesn’t actually eliminate the original bits and bytes. Physically remove the hard drive to ensure you’re not tossing out or passing along your personal data.
Choose “Forget Me” Instead of “Remember Me”
How many web sites do you frequent that invite you to enable an automatic log on the next time you visit? Don’t check that box! When convenience trumps confidentiality, you’re asking for trouble. The harder you make it for hackers to follow your trail into an online store or bank account, the better.
Don’t Rely on Fraud Alerts or Credit Freezes Alone
Fraud alerts are meant to stop an identity thief from opening new accounts in your name. Credit freezes let you restrict access to your credit report, which would also make it hard for someone else to open new accounts. But neither one will stop a thief from trading your SPI for cash or using it for tax fraud or in any of the countless other ways fraudsters exploit stolen identities.
Practice Prudent Posting
Online social networking sites enable individuals around the world to chat, share photos, recruit employees, date, post resumes, auction property, and more. Because the web makes it possible for any posted document to link with another, any information you put online has the potential to stay there for what amounts to electronic eternity.
Keep the Key
When you check out of a hotel where you were issued a cardkey to unlock the door to your room, don’t leave the cardkey behind. Hold on to it until you’re safely home and can shred or otherwise discard it safely. Some say it’s an urban myth that cardkeys hold vital details like credit card numbers, while others report having tested and confirmed the presence of private data coded into the magnetic strip. Even if there’s no definitive answer, why risk it?
What’s in Your Wallet?
Make photocopies of the personal material in your wallet: driver’s license, credit cards, insurance cards, all of it — front and back. Should your wallet be lost or stolen, you won’t be left wondering what was actually taken, and you’ll be able to quickly notify the appropriate agencies about what has happened.
Identify and Avoid Phishing Email
Phishing emails are used to fraudulently obtain personal identification and account information. They can also be used to lure you into downloading malicious software. The message will often suggest the recipient’s account has an issue that requires immediate attention. A link will also be provided to a spoof web site, asking the recipient to provide personal details, account information or to download malicious software.
Conduct a Safe Job Search
Be mindful about the type of information you include on your resume, especially if it will be posted online. For example, you should never include the following:
- Social Security number
- Driver’s license number
- Bank account information
- Credit card information
- Passwords
- Date of birth
You should also never share the personal information listed above with a prospective employer until you are confident the employer and employment opportunity are legitimate. While it’s reasonable in the early stages of the hiring process for employers to ask you for information about your education, training, and qualifications related to a prospective job, don’t provide proprietary information until you’re farther down the road and have conducted due diligence to review the company’s background.
Resource link:
https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/protect-against-identity-theft