Identity theft rates one of the fastest growing crimes in
America today and the Internet can make it even easier
for some criminals to take your good name and drag it
through the mud.
Identity theft involves criminals stealing your personal
information such as credit card numbers, social security
numbers and other information, usually to buy things on
credit or to empty out your bank accounts.
Through your financial liability with your credit cards may
be limited to $50 to $500, it can take years for you to clean
up the mess online identity thieves leave behind.
As with any crime, an ounce of prevention may just cause
the would-be identity thieves to leave you alone and move
on to an easier target.
The following tips can help you avoid having your identity
stolen.
1. Never give out your social security number, online or
otherwise. No company you buy things from needs your
social security number.
If you do business on the web, obtain a a Federal Tax ID
number to use instead of your social security number.
Once criminals have your social security number, along
with your birth date and address, they have virtually everything
they need to start wreaking havoc in your life.
2. Use a good anti-virus program. One of the ways criminals
get your credit card numbers, passwords and other sensitive information
is through "Trojan horse" viruses that log your
keystrokes and transmit information to the evil doers.
The "Bad Trans" virus that has caused so much havoc is just
such a virus.
3. Always use a "secure" server when transmitting credit
card information over the web and know something about
the company before handing over your information.
You can feel pretty confident that you are using a secure
server if a little lock displays in the status bar on the bottom
of your web browser.
4. A popular new way to pay for goods and services online
is to "use your checking account just like a credit card".
Be extremely cautious about paying this way through the web.
By giving a company your checking account numbers you give
away much of the information necessary to empty your bank
account!
5. Never give out information such as your birthday, marital
status, education level or other personal information.
This additional information makes it extremely easy for criminals
to make themselves appear legitimate when they pose as you.
Websites should ultimately only require you to provide your
name, email and billing information for a purchase.
You should avoid any site requiring more information than that.
These criminals prey on people's ignorance and you can usually
defeat them simply by making it too hard for them to get your
information.
If you do find yourself a victim, immediately contact police and
get legal help. Do not wait because you feel embarrassed or
"stupid" over what happened.
Waiting only lets the trail grow cold and limits how much law
enforcement can do to help you.
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