Protecting Our Identity

You need to make identity theft protection a top priority. The reality is that one of the most common types of crime today is identity theft. Therefore, it is very important that you really are proactive and effective when it comes to identity theft protection.

If you are like most people in the world today you spend a great deal of time online transacting business. You shop online, you obtain services online. In the end, the Internet and World Wide Web is a wonderful resource when it comes to shopping, engaging services and for many other activities. Identity thieves completely understand this reality – they understand that the Net is a prime hunting ground when it comes to obtaining financial and personal information from targeted victims.

Using the Internet to shop, indeed using the Internet at all, actually does open you up to rather significant exposure to identity theft. Therefore, you need to make certain that you utilize tools and resources that are designed to provide you with optimum identity theft protection.

Chief amongst the steps that you will want to take when it comes to identity theft protection online is to obtain reliable, reputable and effective anti-spyware software. The fact is that there likely are hundreds of thousands of people lurking on the Net trying to steal your identity and the identity of people just like you through the use of spyware.

Spyware is an aptly named application that allows a person the ability to actually “sneak” into your computer through the Net to collect information about you. A form of spyware is used by reputable online merchants to obtain some basic information about your Internet use and habits. However, those intent on identity theft use more insidious software that actually can effectively collect personal and financial information from you and your computer, including passwords to your accounts.

You need to understand that there are spyware applications that can go so far as to monitor and track your actual keystrokes – a means of collecting your password with relative ease. Spyware applications are very invasive and can be very effective tools when it comes to stealing your personal and financial information.

Understanding these key factors associated with spyware, you definitely want to make sure you have the best possible anti-spyware protection on your computer. Typically, an anti-virus program today will include anti-spyware protection as well. In the end, this type of protection is crucial as part of your overall identity theft protection efforts.



By: Bernard Pragides

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What makes identity theft the epidemic it has become? The fact that half of all victims know the person that committed the theft according to the Better Business Bureau’s 2005 Fraud Survey.

Watch out for these red flags

Resentment

I worked for a company that handled lost and stolen credit card reports. I don’t know how many times someone called and said their ex or soon to be ex spouse stole all of their financial information and went on a vengeance spending spree.

Of course it’s not limited to former husbands and wives but anger is a powerful emotion. The obvious familiarity, total access to private information combined with the desire to do as much damage as possible makes this the most devastating form of id theft financially and emotionally.

No matter what the relationship, always keep a close eye on your credit and other financial information.

The Snoop.

The people that ask you too many questions of a very personal nature. Its easy to not think anything of it.The person may be a relative, neighbor or close friend but ask yourself (and them) exactly why do they need to know your date of birth or social? You may even catch them snooping thru your personal information.

Now it could all be perfectly innocent but with id theft the number one crime for the fifth year in a row, do you really want to take that chance?

3.Addiction

“I don’t have any drug addicts in my family.” Good deal but substance abusers are not the only people who will steal from you. Alcoholics, people addicted to porn, even compulsive shoppers are potential identity thieves.

Gambling and pornography on the internet are billion dollar industries. According to Jim Vaules, an identity theft expert for Lexis Nexis, “You see a lot of internet gambling and pornography sites being charged to stolen cards. [Identity Thieves] might use the card of a family member or friend”

Any kind of obsessive behaviour can throw a person’s normally rational judgement out the window because the only thing that counts is satisfying the habit NOW!

Addiction also means more than likely the identity thief can and will justify their actions. Even if you catch them red handed, its very possible they’ll say its not their fault, put the blame on you or just shrug their shoulders and say “so what?”

What do you do in instances like this? Filing a police report may not be a bad idea.

Author Liz Pullman Weston of MSN Money says “A little tough love may be the only way to stop a miscreant from becoming a career criminal”

Even if the addict apologizes profusely and vows never to do it again (quite common) the odds are high they will do it again unless they get some counseling. Filing a police report no matter how reluctant you are could be a step in that direction.

There are of course other symptoms. Somebody living above their means or mail that looks like its been tampered with. Identity theft requires constant vigilance with credit monitoring, storing private information in secure places, shredding documents etc.

If identity theft happens to you, the best thing besides recovering your identity will be your peace of mind in realizing it wasn’t anyone you know.

Daryl Campbell is a writer and owner of Campbell Marketing L.L.C. What’s the best way to fight id theft and fraud? Free information. Get featured articles from experts as well as tips,resources and up to the minute news at http://fightidtheft.winthemarket.com



By: Daryl Campbell

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In order to avoid the increasing problem of identity theft, you need to be aware of the tell tale signs and take as many measures as possible to reduce this type of fraud. A few helpful points are mentioned below.

Remember to check your credit reports on a yearly basis. This not only helps you to keep track of your credit rating but most of all it can be the first indicator of fraudulent activity taking place in your name. You are entitled to one free credit report per annum plus additional reports may be available if you have previously been a victim of identity theft.

Keep all personal information and identification private and if you are in any doubt as to how personal information will be used, then simply do not give it out. Any documentation displaying your name, address, credit card account numbers and pin numbers should be destroyed thoroughly prior to being discarded, especially supermarket receipts where you have settled the bill by credit card payment. If you need to keep it, then keep it somewhere safe. If you don’t need to keep it - shred it!

Most of us use passwords on a daily basis for various personal accounts we hold. Make sure you use a different password for each account and make the password a combination of numbers and letters, lower and upper case, the more complicated the better. Its sensible not to use your birth date - remember, the more unusual the combination the less chance of someone working it out. Try to commit passwords, pin numbers and social security numbers to memory instead of keeping a record on paper.

How to Help Reduce On-line Identity Theft

In this day and age we nearly all use the internet as a convenient means of purchasing goods along with carrying out our regular banking transactions. It’s a good idea to install a recommended anti-virus software on our computers and to scan the content of our files at frequent intervals. We should maintain this security level by updating the software as and when necessary. Links and attachments received in the in-box of your email account, should not be opened unless you know for sure where they have originated from. On-line identity theft is becoming more and more prevalent. Fraudsters are persevering with fresh ways to gain access to your details, resulting in ongoing research being carried out into new methods of protection. A Firewall program is just one solution to protect your computer from these fraudsters, along with a secure browser to protect on-line transactions.

It is important that we all help each other to combat identity theft. Reach out to others, the young and the vulnerable, family and friends, show them where information can be found to keep updated on issues relating to identity theft, in order to make sure we are all doing as much as we can to keep our identities as safe as possible.

Take steps to safeguard your private and personal information. Help reach out to others you know to alert them to this info for their safety. Print out helpful articles like this and share copies with others, even emailing them as well to help others stay safe online and off. And bookmark helpful sites and blogs and subscribe to them, to stay advised of alerts and updates regarding identity theft issues and topics are also great ideas



By: Bernard Pragides

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heard about identity theft and its apparent ugliness. But do we actually have to believe on it? Isn’t this just a bunch of media hype? Certainly not.

Last year alone, 10 million Americans were victims of an identity theft crime costing around $57 billion in total damage. The Web site called identitytheftlabs.com estimates that the average victim of theft crime can expect to see over $6,300 illegally charged in their name. The average expenditure to the individual ranges from $400 to $2,000. However, these values do not capture the stress, time, and bureaucracy involved with recovering your identity.

Accordingly, what’s really scary about this crime of the decade is that you are at a much great risk when a thief gets a hold of your social security number, or bank account numbers, or starts combining information on you from multiple sources. The SSN alone is considered by thieves to be the master key to the kingdom owned by you.

While it’s a fact that there is no fool-proof mechanism to avoid identity theft, everyone still has options. The same Web site identitytheftlabs.com outlines two workable options:

1. Secure yourself from the danger and search for identity insurance elsewhere. This works if you’re the person who plans a schedule and will follow it without missing important deadlines. The dilemma is that all the relevant tasks prevents you from saving money because the insurance will cost as much as the full identity protection plan.

2. Secure a proactive identity protection plan that renews your fraud alerts and incorporates identity insurance and/or guarantees one million dollars.

Indeed, identity protection plan is the best course available for most people because it works for the best protection at the best price.

Who Provides the Best Identity Protection Plan?

There is no simple answer to this question. It depends on your wants and needs and how much value you place on the differences each company has. However, I am lad to note that IdentityTheftLabs.com has investigated and proven three companies (LifeLock, Trusted Id, and the LoudSiren Debix team). Expectedly, the site recommends and vouches on the expertise and capability of these three identity protection companies.

IdentityTheftLabs.com admits that they were recommending Debix before they partnered with LoudSiren and before they signed big contracts to protect the residents of Ohio, Connecticut and the city of Nashville. The staff at IdentityTheftLabs.com have done this as they have made their ultimate purpose on the three companies.

IdentityTheftLabs.com relates that all three companies LoudSiren, LifeLock and Trusted Id are well backed financially, and are the established leaders in identity theft protection. They all belong to the league among the fastest growing companies in America, and rightfully so. All three companies set and resume fraud alerts and support their identity protection plan with one million dollars. They also remove clients from pre-authorized credit offers which have been known to be a source of identity theft. They all provide experts to defend victims if it comes to that point.



By: Charles White

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Have you ever shopped online and felt hesitant about submitting your personal and credit card information? Well you should be. Every couple of seconds another person falls victim to identity theft. These days, more and more focus is placed on secure online transactions, but at the same time, the criminal element is also focusing on ways to steal your identity. Find out what you can do yourself to better protect against identity theft.

Protect personal and financial documents

If you are going to keep any personal or financial documents, it is best to keep them in a safe or invest in a safety deposit box. Thieves will do whatever it takes to get your information, don’t make it simple by leaving important documents out for everyone to see and take.

Shred the rest

If you do not plan on keeping important documents, make sure you shred them all. Invest in a personal shredder, preferably one that will also shred credit cards. Many times someone looking to steal your identity will stop at nothing, including digging through your trash or dumpster - it’s easy pickings for them.

Monitor account activity

Every month you need to check activity on your account - looking for unusual transactions and activity. It is best to also confirm your personal information is accurate. If you suddenly receive billings for credit cards you didn’t apply for, it could be that someone has applied for you! It is crucial that you verify all information and activity on a regular basis.

Don’t give out personal or financial information freely

Unless you are confident of the source, do not divulge account information, social security numbers, even address and phone numbers. Sometimes a thief will masquerade as a telemarketer in an attempt to get information from you. No matter how good an offer might be, don’t be foolish. It is possible for thieves to embed spyware and other malicious scripts and software into emails you receive - and now have access to your personal and financial information. If you do not know the source, do not even open it as that could trigger the software. Delete it without opening it.

Seek professional help

No, I am not labelling you as a nut-case in need of help, however, it might fit if you are lazy about monitoring your personal and financial information! What I am referring to is a company that helps to monitor your credit. They work 24/7 to ensure that all activity on your credit is legitimate and take action as needed. The fees for such services are minimal when you consider how much time, money, and grief they can save you in the long run.

Bottom line - you are ultimately responsible for the use, and abuse, of your personal information and credit. Usually someone does not realize they are a victim of identity theft until it is too late. On average, three months pass before you even know you have been hit. With all you can do yourself, it can still not be enough. Investing in the services of a credit monitoring company in combination with your own protective habits is the ultimate choice. To get more information on credit monitoring services, visit my website, http://protectionidentitytheft.blogspot.com/



By: David Leonard Houde

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A lot of people trust the internet but a lot especially those who have fallen prey to identity theft have learned the hard way that it doesn’t pay to place your credit card number on the internet. Well, not just yet anyway. Credit cards are the convenient answer of upwardly mobile people who want to get their purchases done in the most comfortable, time saving way. And e-commerce is the idea that lets enterprising people set up their products and services over the World Wide Web.

As such, such transactions are mostly done on site with the consumer on the trusting side and risking their private information just for the sake of convenience. Unfortunately, this information isn’t safe and can be snatched by equally enterprising money grabbing individuals. They pit computer against computer and the war is won with a few clicks and with the right amount of hacking know-how. Some have even come up with devices that are secretly sold capable of deciphering private codes that are supposedly securely hidden behind the company secure site. What can the consumer hope for in the battle against this form of cybercrime?

It’s hard to find the culprits because they find ingenious ways of covering up their tracks including using false ids that is eventually hard to trace down to the user or they can move from one public computer to another, knowing that their footprints in the internet are swallowed up by anonymity. If today’s battle against cyber terrorism is being waged, there should equally be something that should be done to protect consumers from falling victims to cyber thieves.

The first line of defense many believe is the ability to monitor your credit standings so you are well aware if someone has been hacking into your credit card. Some hackers make undeniably huge purchases right away and are a dead give away but some are “nibbler’s”. Just taking tiny bites or purchases that are hardly noticeable but ultimately when summed up come up to a sizable amount too.

You can try using websites that have Consumer credit services that supposedly provide your current credit information for a fee. Knowing what your balance is worth today helps identify if credit theft is happening to you. One should do what they can do to avoid falling victim to identity theft. They may eventually get blacklisted by credit companies although it wasn’t their fault or their reputation might be questioned.

So do not throw away personal information such as social security or bank account or billing statements in the trash bin. Somebody might be able to use this for their gains and besmirch your name in the same vein. Be wary of a sudden change of address that is not your doing. You can call your credit card institution and double check every now and then. Never answer spam or register your credit card with websites that are suspicious but tempting. Get more info first. Finally, as much as possible make your credit purchases at the store where you can see who handles your card.



By: Puripong Koomsin

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As everyone knows unless you have been asleep like Rip Van Winkle identity theft has become the #1 crime wave in the U.S.A. according to the FBI and the US Postal Service. That is what Michael Bloomberg the New York City Mayor thought too, until he became a victim.

Now a new fear has raised its head because of the recent federal and the state laws that go into effect on January 1, 2008. For years anyone in the country illegally could (and still can) purchase any type of document on the street from some vendor. These fake documents can range from a Social Security card, drivers license, green card or practically anything else people are willing to pay for.

Recently the Arizona Republic ran a three-page article (August 19, 2007) on how easy these documents were to obtain. Arizona and Phoenix are both rated #1 in identity theft. Arizona police have seized 2,134 fraudulent documents in the last two years. And note, that’s just what they found, not what’s out there. Further the Arizona Republic says police have received 3,400 identity-theft complaints from January 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007. Is Arizona unique? Hardly, your city is the same.

According to the Arizona Republic the authorities fear the fake identity industry will grow as migrants look for ways to circumvent the state’s new employer-sanctions law and a new Bush administration crackdown on illegal workers.

With the job markets for illegal immigrants closing the police statewide are looking for more identity thefts in order for illegal immigrants to obtain authentic numbers. “It’s growing and it’s pervasive,” says Lt. Giles Tipsword of the Phoenix Police Department’s property crimes bureau. “This is a multimillion-dollar industry”.

To give some idea of the size of this industry look at these figures:

· $1.5 million dollars in cash seized from fraudulent-document makers operating in Arizona in the last 2 years

· 491 fake green cards

· 487 Social Security cards bought by undercover officers

· 172 drivers licenses bought by undercover officers

· 147 computers seized

· 217 people arrested

· And you know they didn’t get them all, that goes without saying.

Arizona’s new employer-sanctions law requires companies to verify worker eligibility through a federal database. Lawmakers in other states are taking steps to make it more difficult for illegal immigrants to get fake documents. And under new rules by the Bush administration in August employers face prosecution if they don’t fire workers whose names and Social Security numbers don’t match.

Nobody expects the fake document industry to dry up and disappear. If anything, those in the know say they expect it to get bigger and more sophisticated as criminals who make fake documents adapt to meet the demand. The database can’t flag documents made with stolen identities, where the names and numbers match.

According to Leesa Berens Morrison, the director of the Arizona Department Homeland Security, “There is a good potential for an increase in identity theft and also an increase in the manufacture and sale of fraudulent documents.”

In July, Arizona Governor Napolitano signed a tough employer-sanctions law aimed at turning off the job magnet that draws so many illegal immigrants. That law which takes effect January 1, 2008 revokes the business license of employers who knowingly hire illegal workers a second time.

It also requires the more than 150,000 licensed Arizona employers to run Social Security and other data for new employees through the federal Basic Pilot Program, an electronic verification system. For the record Arizona businesses employ about 1.6 million workers.

The Basic Pilot Program is designed to determine whether an employee is authorized to work in the U.S. As a result, local, state and federal authorities anticipate a rise in identity theft.

They expect to see fake-document makers morphing into large-scale criminal enterprises producing high quality fraudulent documents made with real names and real Social Security numbers stolen from someone else. The trick here is not to let yourself be one of those!

Identity Theft Protection

Undocumented immigrants frequently use illegally obtained identification numbers to gain employment. Victims of this type of identity theft may not suffer financial harm initially because of its intended use. However, down the road that person may decide to see if they can get a credit card, or buy a house or car – do you see where this is going? They become you! Even if they don’t it will still take you many hours to unravel the web they will have woven.

Here is what you can do to protect yourself.

· The first thing you should do is subscribe to LifeLock. There is no finer protection available. And all for about $10 per month. The information is on our website http://www.1-800BadCredit.com

· Review all bank and credit card statements monthly.

· Notify banks or credit card companies immediately of any unauthorized activity.

· Write “Ask for photo ID” next to your signature on the back of your credit cards.

· Ask your credit card company to stop sending blank checks with statements.

· Carefully review your credit reports. When you subscribe to LifeLock they will order these for you.

· Keep documents with personal information, credit card account information and PIN numbers in a safe place.

· Use a credit card, not a debit card when ordering on-line or by phone. Credit cards offer greater protection to consumers.

· Guard your Social Security number. Never carry your Social Security card with you.

· Do not give out your Social Security number unless it is required for employment, bank account or other legitimate purpose.

· Do not put your Social Security number on your driver’s license.



By: Dewey Kearney

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