Unfortunately, many of the methods that thieves use to steal identities are beyond your control to guard against. Although it’s rare, even store clerks have been known to use their position to pass along information to identity thieves. There are measures you can take, that will make it more difficult for a thief to use your identity.

Protect Your Credit Card Number After It Has Been Swiped When Buying Items

Protect your credit card number after It has been swiped when making a purchase, check to make sure that the printed receipt hides all but the last 4 digits of your credit card account number (usually there will be Xs in place of the first 12 digits). Some terminals still print receipts that show all of the account number, and may include the expiration date as well. After your card is swiped, you are permitted by law to hide the first 12 digits of your account number on the copy of the receipt that the vendor retains. A marking pen that will do the job usually.

When you go to a restaurant, it is important to make sure that the first 12 digits of your credit card number are hidden on your receipt. You may be in the habit of signing it and then leaving the restaurant’s copy on the table after your meal. An identity thief can easily steal the signed receipt before the waitperson comes back around to pick it up from the table. Don’t take any chances.

Do You Really Need To Give Your Social Security Number?

Another important way that you can guard against identity theft is to avoid giving out your social security number unless it’s absolutely required. Although you need to share your social security number when you apply for credit or for a bank account, sometimes a store or an organization will want to use it as an ID number, simply to identify you within their system. This is a common practice even though the law says that social security numbers aren’t to be used as ID numbers. In these situations, use your judgment. There’s usually an alternative if you ask.

Destroy Documents That Contain Personal Information

Buy a paper shredder and use it to shred documents you are throwing away which contain personal info such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, phone numbers and dates of birth. This is important to do both at home and at work. Identity thieves aren’t above going through someone’s trash to find valuable personal information that can help them obtain credit in your name.

If you are a victim of computer identity theft, take the following steps at once. Notify credit card companies, shut off your accounts immediately immediately and ask to have new cards issued to you. Place a fraud alert on your file with any one of the three major credit bureaus. The other two will be notified automatically. File a police report. You may need it to show to creditors as proof of the crime.

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One of the most recent tactics even has a name, it is called phishing(fishing). The internet thief sends an e-mail that appears to have come from a legitimate site. Usually a bank or financial institution. Such as Citibank, eBay, Best Buy or PayPal to name a few. I get e-mails from PayPal frequently claiming that there is a problem with my account and it must be resolved immediately.

They will provide a link in the e-mail to their scam site. Never ever hit a link that is in this type of e-mail. Open a new browser window and type the URL of your financial institution if you think there may be a problem. Chances are exteremly good everything with your account will be fine. It is most likely just a lure to get you to hit their link.

This is a pretty simple trick but it is very effective. Education is the best defense, learn as much as you can about cyber identity theft.

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It is the parents responsibility to make sure that a child visits safe areas online. A child should never know more about the internet than the parent does. You should at the very least know about the same.

If you attempt to block adult themed websites that have offensive material, it would not be good if your child knows how to get around the parental block. That is why it is important that you know how to use a computer and the internet.

Another good reason why you should have knowledge of the internet and computer use is because you are better able to fully understand the dangers of the internet. You may hear that an internet predator approached a child on the news. You may assume that will never happen to your child, but it is better to be safe than sorry.

A child on the net can be very vulnerable, playing a game or researching a paper online. A common mistake would be your child accidentally stumbling into a porn site, getting into malicious web pages that infect your computer, or and I gasp at the thought, mistakenly deleting your own computer’s files.

Mistakes like these can happen and your child may not be aware of them. If they do happen you may not be told for fear of punishment.

There are some activities that you can do with your kids that will in effect allow you to supervise their actions online. If that is not possible, you can always monitor their computer use. Which sites they visit, the activities they do online. If they use e-mails and chat rooms, pay attention to who they are corresponding with and how well they seem to know them.

Children should be aware of the dangers online. They should be able to recognize suspicious behavior or activities on the internet. Knowledge is truly the best defense. This will help you and the child set boundaries for their computer use. Hopefully you will be able to avoid any type of internet theft with the proper knowledge and training.

The computer should be in an open area of the house where anyone can supervise anyone’s online computer activities. It will deter every family member from doing things that are not allowed and help to avoid internet theft opportunities. For further information visit Cyber Identity Theft Blog to learn and avoid the dangers that can be associated with the internet.

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Everyone relies on computers to pay bills, communicate with others, arrange transportation, entertainment and other aspects of daily life is influenced by or depend on computers. This is why cyber security threats must be dealt with as soon as there detected.

The Government is also at risk to cyber security attacks. Granting public access can also increase the risks of data leaks, infiltration and cyber attacks. It is necessary to invest and have intensive solutions that address cyber attacks.

Government agencies are coming up with systems that will help in addressing cyber attacks. In addition to these programs there are ways to aid in providing long-term solutions for quick developing problems.

There are a multitude of agencies and institutions dedicated to fighting cyber crimes. InfraGard is a partnership between FBI and different members of the private sector like academic institutions, businesses, state and local law enforcement agencies and individuals. These organizations are dedicated to sharing information and intelligence to address criminal acts.

The government and also different organizations are reaching out to more CEOs of different businesses to help them understand cyber threat and what is can be done. This would help the government to come up with policies and resources that would help them build long term prevention plans.

The government and a multitude of different organizations are reaching out to more CEOs of different businesses to help them understand cyber threat and what is needed to be done. This would help the government to come up with resources and policies that would help them build long term prevention plans.

How often have we heard that the best cure is prevention. Too much reliance and putting too much sensitive material about our lives on computers is a risk that we all need to be prepared to face. We should be ready to handle cyber security issues on our own every moment.

One of today’s biggest concerns is computer fraud and cyber identity theft. Cyber thieves use all kinds of methods to commit computer fraud and steal personal or financial info from their victims personal computers.

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Lost or Stolen Wallet

Not surprisingly a person who has had their wallet lost or stolen is at great risk of becoming a victim of identity theft. Carrying important documents like your Social Security Number, birth certificate, driver’s license and credit or debit cards in your wallet can give a thief easy access to your personal information.

Missing Mail

If you think you’ve missed a couple bills or know that your mail box has been broken into, your personal information may have been stolen. Credit card bills, offers for credit cards and information that contains personal information or your SSN can be used to gain access to unauthorized credit or to commit fraud in your name.

Garbage

Thinking of throwing the latest credit card offer in the garbage? Clearing out old tax forms or other personal information? Rummaging through the garbage for such information is known as ‘dumpster diving’ and can be an easy source for identity thieves. Your personal garbage isn’t the only source – businesses that collect personal information can also be targeted.

‘Phishing’ or ‘Pretexting’

Online or over the phone there are unscrupulous individuals masquerading as legitimate businesses in an attempt to convince you to pass on personal information for illegal purposes. Any requests to ‘validate account information’ by providing personal information online or over the phone should be questioned.

Businesses or Employees

Employees or businesses that have legitimate access to your personal information may use that information for non-business activities. Identity thieves that work in institutions that contain sensitive personal data may abuse the access they have or even present themselves to you as someone that should have access, such as a landlord or employer.

‘Skimming’

Thieves have access to ‘tools of the trade’ that allow them to steal information from your card at ATM’s or during a card swipe for a purchase. These data storing devices capture your information without your realizing it.

Change of Address

By filling out a form at the post office the identity thief can have your bills and other personal mail diverted to a new address. It may take you a few days to realize what has happened and make the correction.

Spyware

A new threat on the scene is from computer viruses that ‘spy’ on you while you shop or do banking online. Any website that you enter personal information into can be ‘spied on’ putting you at risk.

Unsecured Online Transactions

Online shopping at a site that is not secured can potentially put you at risk of having your information stolen. Websites may also collect and sell some of your information without your knowledge unless their posted Privacy Policy states otherwise.

Break In

Anytime you or a business that has your information is a victim of a break in you may have had personal information stolen.
 
Personal Computers

Are you storing sensitive passwords on your laptop? Are you throwing out an old computer? If your laptop is stolen or accessed by a thief they may be able to find that information. Old computers may hold information on their hard drives even when you’ve deleted it.

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While you’ve been busy with your day-to-day life someone could have stolen your personal information and racked up debts or committed fraud – all with your name on it. What happens then can be anything from being denied employment, credit or even being arrested for a crime you didn’t commit.

Cyber Identity theft is that serious.

Victims of identity theft can spend years paying back debts or fighting to restore their credit as well as their reputation. Finding out you are a victim of identity theft can be frightening and a source of anxiety even after you’ve resolved the issue.

According to a survey conducted by the FTC (Federal Trade and Commission) 4.6% of Americans involved in the survey responded that they had been a victim of identity theft within the past year. That means about 10 million Americans dealt with some form of identity theft – from using existing credit cards to setting up new accounts or giving false identification when arrested for a crime.

It doesn’t stop there. The cost of clearing up the theft ranged from an average of $500 to $1200 per victim. It took them on average 30 hours to resolve the issue while also costing time and money for businesses and agencies who assist these victims.

With all the tools available to potential thieves along with our increasing reliance on paperless money transfers (credit cards, debit cards and online payments) we are incredibly susceptible to having this nightmare come true.

How can you reduce the risk and what do you do if it happens to you or your family?

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The interview goes well. The interviewer seems pleased with you and you have a good feeling about the offer. While nothing is promised you are more than certain the job is yours as soon as the paperwork is approved.

You finish the interview and stop by the car showroom. It’s looking like a good time to finally get that new car you’ve had your eye on! You’ve been thinking about it for months. The salesperson takes you for a spin and it’s everything you’ve dreamed of – and more!

Stepping back into the showroom the salesperson suggests you sit down. “Grab a cup of coffee and we’ll talk about driving this baby away today!” Sounds good.

Bantering over the paperwork you sit back with a sigh of contentment and put down the pen. “Let’s just check your credit and you should be off in a few minutes” he says. Today is a GREAT day!

As you sit back and gaze at the gleaming cars on the showroom floor you notice the salesperson has become rather silent.

“I’m sorry but it looks like this might not work out right now” he says. You look at him and see a sudden sternness in his eyes. “Really,” you say “why’s that?”

“Well, you’ve got a few things on your credit report that are a concern. I’m afraid this car would be impossible to finance.”

“What do you mean? My credit is fine!” you start to sputter “let me see”.

“I’m not allowed to share your report with you, but maybe in a few months you can come back and look again.”

You head out the door in confusion. You KNEW you could get that car. What was he talking about?

As you open the door to your home you see the message light flashing on your phone. That was fast! The job offer – that will put you back in a good mood!

“…I’m afraid we won’t be able to offer you a position with us right now…” you don’t even hear the rest of the message. WHAT??

Ding-dong. The doorbell. Who could that be?

“Hello, I’m Officer Brown, may we have a word with you…”

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