|
|
|
 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Help to prevent identity theft
|
|
|
|
 Informative Article Summary by Anny Redperz
Your credit could be ruined if your identity is stolen. Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in America and thieves don't discriminate. It's a crime of access and more than eight million Americans were victimized last year. I found out the hard way that no one is safe!
When your identity is stolen it isn't just a temporary problem. It can ruin your credit score, affect your chances of getting credit in the future or even getting a job. Somebody in cyberspace stole my debit information a few weeks ago and went on an online shopping spree. Luckily i caught it quickly and closed my account, but not before someone living in Florida bought among other things, $ 90 worth of stuff at hatworld.com!
Karen Zangerle is an avid online shopper and debit card user.
"I usually use my bank card probably 20 times a week. It is a real convenience for me. One morning going through fast food for coffee, I thought the person kept my card a little longer than usual," Karen said.
It turns out the cashier copied her card information and then drained her account. Fortunately, the thief paid her electric, cable and cell phone bills with the card so it wasn't hard to track her down.
When Karen got her new debit card and started paying close attention, she realized just how vulnerable her information is.
How many people take your card and then take it away to do something with it and bring it back? Well they have time to write down your number and your number on the back of it," she said.
The internet has made spending your money easier for thieves.
Jessica Tharp with the Better Business Bureau says, "Once an identity thief obtains your credit card it can take them less than 15 seconds to max out your credit card."
Tharp says convenience comes at a price and when you buy things on the internet, there are people looking to take advantage of you.
"They will get lists from company's compromised employees. They'll buy these lists and get your information that way. Its very hard to protect yourself," she said.
But there are ways to make it harder for thieves.
*When shopping online, check to make sure the page you're entering information on is secure. Look in the address bar and if it says 'https', the 's' means it is secure.
*Avoid storing your information on sites you shop from. The option might make it faster for you to shop, but it makes it easier for people to get your information.
*Don't hit the 'remember me' box. Storing your log-in and password info, especially on a public computer can come back to haunt you.
*Online banking is popular but make sure you consult your bank to find out more about their security measures.
Online fraud accounted for 44% of identity theft last year, but the old-fashioned method of stealing cards and getting information from bills and documents is still popular.
The easiest way to get rid of bills, documents and even credit card offers you don't want is to shred them. Cross-cutting shredders are recommended and there are companies like Confidential Security Corporation in Peoria that can handle huge volumes of paper, computer disks, and more.
For Karen, a $ 50 paper and credit card shredder is giving her piece of mind.
"It brought me up really quick to the reality of life and that you have to do certain things to protect yourself. So now i am shredding my mail at home and a lot of other things i wouldn't have paid attention to prior to this event," she said.
Its also recommended you change your computer passwords often, install spyware on your computer and don't click on links sent in unsolicited emails.
|
|
|
Edit
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
