The ID Theft a.k.a. Identity Theft

It took me some time to realize, that the ID Theft is a real problem, still it became clear, as the son of my friends decided to purchase a car. He was going to take a car loan, still as he applied for it, the response was negative due to some unknown credit problems he never interfered with before. He didn’t know what to think, as all his credit records were perfect. That was when he understood that he suffered from the ID Theft!

The Identity Theft: best ways for protection

Do you usually use your e-mail or pay your bills online? Do you look through your page of brokerage? Use the Wi-Fi in your house, in office or while trips? If your answer for at least one of these questions is “yes”, take your time to protect your private information by one of the following ways:

Keep your antivirus up-to-date: Such software will put the perfect barrier between your PC and various viruses or other threats you can interact with during the web search. If your antivirus is legally provided, it will most likely have the function of regular updates to be performed once a week, or immediately in the case of emergency. Every file that comes to your PC shall be properly scanned, still if you prefer not to do it, scanning all your PC once in a month is also a good option.

Get the latest anti-spyware: This kind of programs is meant to save your private information from the unwanted sharing. It keeps all your passwords and credit card numbers protected, does not let the spam advertisements to be received and helps in many other ways.

The usual place to hide the spyware is some needful and seemingly safe programs, usually offered as freeware or shareware. Before downloading some of these, you shall be sure the file is totally clean of spyware, in other words that it’s nothing more that the program mentioned in title. Some Internet Service Providers (“ISP’s”) offer the special service like finding and neutralizing the spyware. Some antiviruses offer the same option as well. Make sure the file you’re downloading is not going to break your privacy.

Do not forget the firewall: This service forms the protective barrier, separating your computer from the aggressive Internet surrounding. It successfully prevents any unauthorized access to your PC while being online. The best will be to download and activate the firewall before you dive into Internet the first time. The firewall service may be offered by some ISP’s as well, you can also buy the firewall hardware or software in any IT-store nearby.

Update the security programs regularly: Most of the software meant to protect your computer updates automatically on regular basis. Almost all the updates can be found on the producer websites, offering new solutions of general security problems. The global sites such as Microsoft and Apple can even check your computer for missing updates. The best way is to make any kind of checking monthly, so all the programs will be up-to-date.

Your Wi-Fi shall be protected: Most of the wireless networks made for home use are not protected enough. To make them safer, contact the vendor of your software for all specifications and information that can help you to build up the needed level of protection and be sure your passwords will not come to the wrong hands.

Be careful when using Wi-Fi Hotspots: When using wireless hotspots in local cafe, in university of anywhere else, take several simple precautious for the connection to be safe. As the Wi-Fi technologies are constantly updating, ask the manufacturer of your network hardware for the most up-to-date protection. Your wireless connection shall be disabled when not in use. Also you shall be sure your software is used only by the wireless networks you created. If you’re not sure of the Hotspot security, do not use it for anything confidential, like business or banking.

Keep your passwords safe: Try to keep your password abstract and long, do not use some memorable dates or words, as they are quite easy to guess. Never give your passwords to anyone including your family and friends. Be sure you’re protected enough from Phishing Scams – the mass mails coming from what is claimed to be legitimate business. Usually you are asked to give off your password, number or any other information to register or to get some special services. Never give away this kind of data unless you are 100% sure the site is legitimate. The legal site will be encrypted and have the “s” letter at the end, like “https”. This means the site is currently in secure mode.

Best ways to uncover Phishing mail: The popularity of so-called phishing e-mails has grown drastically over the last year, and they are getting even more difficult to recognize each time. The site of phishing scam may now have the real company Logo, the whole set of needful links, special page with company policies and may even feature “legal disclaimer language” at the bottom of the page. To understand whether the page is phishing scam, think about the following questions:

-    Has this company anything to do with me?
-    Am I expecting the mail from this company?
-    Why will this company make this kind of request?

If you’re still unsure, feel free to contact the company by phone.

Never open the sudden mails: Be careful with e-mails coming from unknown addresses, especially if they contain some suspicious attachments. They may look like coming from your friend, still if you were not expecting an e-mail from this person better ask your friend if he or she did really send the message before actually opening it.

Never send the Personal Data via e-mail: The mail service is not meant for sending the valuable data. It’s usually not protected enough, so your private information may get into the wrong hands. To keep your passwords and numbers protected, shred the documents containing any specific data instead of just throwing them away. When asked for some private information, be sure you know exactly who you’re dealing with. All the additional information for preventing identity theft you can find in OnGuard Online site made by U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Do not use your Social Security Number unless necessary: If possible, ask the company or the agency to create the other customer identifier.

Give your financial statements a close look: Take your time to read carefully all the account or business statements arrived to you. Make sure all the mentioned transactions were initiated or approved by you. If you see some bills are missing, do not hesitate to call your company. Also check your credit for any possible mistakes. All US residents receive one free credit report yearly starting from September 2005. You can also make a request to AnnualCreditReport.com for your report.

The following Identity Warning Signs you shall be attentive with:
Unknown charges or payments, not receiving the renewed credit card or bill or mail, receiving the unknown credit card or the card you never asked for, credit denials for no reason and any changes you do not know about. Sometimes it is nothing more but an error, still if checked at the right time, you may solve the problem. Only a few mistakes can be just automatically corrected.

If you assume the drastic mistake had been made, do as following:
-    look through your credit reports;
-    put the special fraud alert on the account invaded;
-    close the account that was corrupted;
-    file the report to the police;
-    file the following complain to the Federal Trade Commission.

The most important when dealing with personal data is to be cautious all the time. Following the steps mentioned above, you most likely will not become the identity theft victim.

In case you’re not familiar with the ID theft, visit “What is ID Theft.”