Indentiy theft is the biggest cyber security concern today. Thieves use all kinds of methods (hacking, use of spyware for intercepting information, etc.) in stealing your personal or financial information from you, mostly from your computer.
Phishing (pronounced like ‘‘fishing”) – the thief sends a simple e-mail that looks like it came from a genuine site, mostly from financial institutions as like banks, eBay, PayPal, Best Buy and other places where you may have an account set up. They tell you there is a problem with your account.
They would then ask you to click on a certain link in the e-mail, and you are taken to a site that looks exactly like that of let say your bank. Here, they will ask you to again fill out your Social Security or credit card numbers, and/or other confidential numbers.
The problem is lots of people have accounts like these now a days and fall for this trick.
Here are a few ways to minimize the risk of your identity being stolen:
Do business with reputable companies
These sum bags may try to trick you by creating web sites that appear to be legitimate.
Don’t use the links in the email. Open a new browser and type the address yourself and sign in to the account.
Always check privacy policies to see how a company in question use and distribute information. Many companies allow customers to request that their information not be shared with other companies.
Be security minded – always be weary of unfamiliar sites and links, any e-mails that says there is a problem with your account and especially IM messages.
Use Anti-virus software and a firewall.
Make a habit of using and maintaining an anti-virus software and a firewall on your computer to help protect you from attacks that may steal or modify data in your computer.
Make sure to keep your anti-virus program and firewall up to date.
Fighting identity robbery
Take steps like regularly checking your credit reports for strange transactions or transactions you don’t recall, unusual charges on bills, bills for products and services you don’t have, and check at once an unexpected denial of your credit card.
Once the robbery has been confirmed, calls to the companies and agencies involved have to be done immediately. Close your credit card accounts right away so future charges will be denied.
Contact the Social Security Administration if your SSS or SIN card number has been accessed or the DMV if your driver’s license or car registration papers were stolen. This warns these agencies for possible unauthorized use of your personal ID information. Always file a criminal report with the local police.
For U.S. citizens, you need to contact the main credit reporting companies (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) to see if there had been any unexpected or unauthorized activity. Have fraud alerts placed on your credit reports to prevent new accounts from being opened without verification. File a complaint with the FTC and IFCC.
Go on line to IdentityTheftActionPlan.com, which is there to help you prevent, detect, and respond to identity theft and fraud. Within the site is information on how identity theft occurs, the latest prevention tips, what to do in case you are victimized and pertinent information of law enforcement agencies that investigate these crimes. Two other sites to learn more about phishing and ID theft are the following: consumer.gov/idtheft/ and
idtheftcenter.org/ in the US
In Canada go to Identity Theft – Questions and Answers and Canada Indentity Theft and Fraud
Vigilance, information and action.
If you use a computer get the information you need, stay alert and be vigilant at all times.
Please keep up with the latest information, so you don’t fall victim to identity theft.
