ComputerHunter.org

 

Identity Theft ? More Tips on How it Can Be Avoided


Recent security breaches at several credit card companies continue to worry Americans, as stolen financial information can lead to identity theft. Identity theft occurs when someone obtains your Social Security number and/or other vital information and uses it to pose as you. By doing so, they can take advantage of your good credit history to open new credit card accounts or obtain loans. They get to spend the money, but you get to pay the bills. It often takes a victim a year or more to even detect that he or she has been a victim of ID theft; clearing up the mess caused by an identity theft scam can take years and can harm you personal credit report indefinitely.

We have covered a few identity theft tips in previous articles, but here are some more things the conscientious consumer can do to minimize the chances of being the latest victim of an ID theft scammer:

  • When engaged in online banking activity, avoid using short or obvious passwords. Names of children, family pets, favorite sports teams and the like are obvious choices and are easily guessed by thieves. Many scammers now use "dictionary attacks" to obtain passwords, which will try every word in the dictionary until the password is cracked. If you use a common name or word, you are vulnerable. If you must use words from the English language for passwords, use long ones. "TheNewYorkYankeesTotallyRock" is a better password than "Yankees." If you can, use a mixture of letters and numbers. Longer is better.
  • Buy a shredder. Keep important documents, of course, but shred the documents you no longer need or unwanted credit card applications that come in the mail. Thieves can and do search through garbage to obtain such things. If you don't need it, shred it.
  • Do not provide financial or personal information to anyone who calls you. The party on the phone may say that they are from your bank, but your bank isn't going to call you to ask for your credit card or Social Security number. If in doubt, hang up and call the institution directly. It's better to be safe than sorry.
  • Print as little information as possible on your checks. Don't preprint your phone number, driver's license number or Social Security number. You're making that information available to anyone who sees your checks. Print your name and address only; you can provide any other information yourself if necessary.
  • Don't carry your Social Security card with you. Put it in a safe place. Many people are never asked to show the card during their lifetimes, so only bad can result from carrying it around with you. Be safe. Leave the card at home. While you're at it, remove any other credit or debit cards from your wallet that you rarely use. Keep them at home and take them with you only if you need them. The fewer cards you carry the less damage that can be done if you lose them.
  • Anyone concerned about identity theft should make it as difficult for thieves to obtain his or her personal information as possible. A few simple steps can go a long way towards avoiding what could be a drawn-out and expensive problem.

    ©Copyright 2005 by Retro Marketing.

    Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational Websites, including End-Your-Debt.com, a site devoted to debt consolidation and credit counseling, and HomeEquityHelp.com, a site devoted to information regarding mortgages and home equity lending.







    Google News - Top Stories

    NECN

    Official: Richardson to be commerce secretary
    The Associated Press - 59 minutes ago
    NEW YORK (AP) - A Democratic official says President-elect Barack Obama will name New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson as commerce secretary.
    Video: Richardson Likely Pick for Commerce Secretary AssociatedPress
    Richardson Is Leading Candidate for Secretary of Commerce Wall Street Journal
    Washington Post - FOXNews - Huffington Post - ABC News
    all 346 news articles


    FOXNews

    Congress Will Send Obama Stimulus Bill First Day, Democrats Say
    Bloomberg - 1 hour ago
    By Daniel Whitten Nov. 23 (Bloomberg) -- Congress will send President-elect Barack Obama an economic stimulus package the day he takes office Jan. 20, two Democratic lawmakers said today.
    Lawrence Summers to Head National Economic Council Wall Street Journal
    President-elect Barack Obama pumps up his economic stimulus proposal Los Angeles Times
    Reuters - MarketWatch - Washington Post - San Jose Mercury News
    all 1,186 news articles


    Bush Wraps Up Asia Economic Meeting
    New York Times - 38 minutes ago
    By SHERYL GAY STOLBERG LIMA, Peru - President Bush wrapped up his final meeting with Asia Pacific leaders here Sunday, walking away with a collection of modest achievements: an endorsement of his plans for international financial regulatory reform, ...
    Video: Bush Says Goodbye To APEC CBS
    Bush: Global economy will emerge in better shape The Associated Press
    Reuters India - Voice of America - International Herald Tribune - AFP
    all 3,442 news articles


    WELT ONLINE

    Islamist Fighters Threaten to Attack Pirates in Clash Over ...
    FOXNews - 1 hour ago
    AP MOGADISHU - Islamist fighters threatened to attack Somali pirates Sunday in an effort to rescue a Saudi oil supertanker carrying $100 million worth of crude oil that was hijacked last week, the Agence France-Presse reported.
    Islamic fighters vow to rescue hijacked Saudi tanker CNN International
    Somali Pirates Move Saudi Tanker as Islamists Warn of Attacks Bloomberg
    AFP - Inquirer.net - Telegraph.co.uk - Monsters and Critics.com
    all 4,098 news articles


    ABC News

    Transcript: Obama Adviser David Axelrod
    ABC News - 2 hours ago
    GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS, ABC NEWS: With staggering losses in the stock market and all signs pointing to the worst recession since 1982, President-elect Obama moved late this week to take control of the economy, leaking word Friday that New York Fed ...
    Obama may delay tax-cut rollback for wealthy Reuters
    Obama keeps the machine humming Baltimore Sun
    The Associated Press - Politico - Gothamist - New York Times
    all 438 news articles

    Google
     

    Copyright © 2006 Computer Hunter - A Division of Arthur´s Job Base