Do you know how to Deter, Detect and Defend against Identy Theft?

Identity Theft. Those words strike fear in people right through their skin, deep down into their credit report! The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) estimates that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year. Now most people tend to think that the biggest threat to their identity is “on line” these days, but it isn’t. The tried and true methods of ID theft still work just fine. The FTC recommends 6 simple ways to help deter ID Theft.

First is the easiest, and its just one word. SHRED. That’s it. You don’t need to hire a large company to come by your home with a truck to shred all your documents like you might see at an office. All you need to do is go to your local “Target”, “Staples” or “Office Max” type store and buy a small shredder. Then, make sure each day to shred all your financial documents and paperwork before you throw it out. Now, you might ask why you should do it each day, rather than once a week like taking out the garbage or the recycling? The reason is, if your home is broken into, do you want all this ID theft friendly documents in one place for the bad guys to find? Dumpster Diving is still one of the easiest ways for criminals to find documents. Documents that you are going to keep should be stored in a safe place with a lock.

The next thing is to keep your Social Security number safe. Don’t carry the card in your wallet, or put the number on your checks. If you have it on your checks, and I steal your check book, or find a discarded check that wasn’t shredded…… I have your name, address and SS number. Just imagine what I could do with all that info.

Don’t give out any personal information unless you are sure who you are talking to. This includes on websites. If you feel unsure, ask them for a number that you can call them back on.

Don’t click on links in emails. The link can be changed to look like it will take you to your bank etc’s website but will bring you to one with other motives. Instead, type in web address that you know for your institution and work your way to the page. Or you can call them to confirm the site address in the email.

On your computer or phone, don’t use an obvious password. Your date of birth, last four numbers of your ss, or your mother's maiden name. Years ago, I was told not to write down my passwords, but now that recommendation has changed. Write it down. Make it complicated enough that you have to. We are not overly worried that someone is going to break into your house and use your own laptop to log into your accounts, but rather someone in their own home trying to “crack” your password.

Keep your personal data at home in a safe place. A safe place is one that locks and is out of obvious view.
The 5 most active ways that ID theft takes place is; Dumpster Diving, Skimming, Phishing, Address Change and good old stealing. The good old stealing is the easiest to explain. They steal your wallet, purse or mail. Your mail you ask? What do you get in your mail? Credit cards, tax forms, bank statements, new checks (when you order new checks, if you do it through your bank, ask to pick them up there rather than having them sent to your home) letters from creditors, and pre-approved credit cards. All of those are just what the bad guys are looking for.

Next we will cover Dumpster Diving. This is basically those same bad guys looking for all that great stuff that came in the mail, which you then tossed in the garbage without shredding. Only difference is that they have to go through last nights Chimichanga and banana peals to get to it.

Skimming is the one of two “High Tech” ones. They put an attachment on an ATM and steal your Credit Card or Debit Cards info when processing your card.

Phishing is when you receive a fake email from your bank or financial institution asking for information. (You hear about this happening on Facebook, Twitter and other places as well).

Finally we get to the Address Change. This is like the lazy Mail thief. They mail in change of address forms to your credit card companies to get your billing statements sent to another address.

Identity theft is a serious crime. It can cost you time and money. It can destroy your credit and ruin your good name. You can receive s free copy of your credit report each year. Go to www.annualCreditReport.com or call 1-877-322-8228 to request one.

Oram Security offers a “Bag Lunch” Identity Theft Training Course for business and organizations. Contact us for more information.

Stay Safe
Oram Security