Have you been a victim of identity theft? If not, chances are you know someone who has. According to a report conducted by Javelin Strategy and Research, 16.7 million people were victims of identity fraud in 2017! So, what can do you do help protect yourself and your personal data?
What is identity theft?
It used to be that thieves would compromise your identity by stealing your mail or wallet, but today they are just as likely to obtain your personal information from businesses you frequent. Or, using a technique called phishing, they may try to trick you into providing information by posing as your bank or a government agency. Once they have your key data, they can change your address with your credit card issuers, open up new credit cards in your name, drain your bank account, take out loans, apply for government-issued identification, or impersonate you during an arrest. They may even entangle your identity in a sophisticated fraud on a third-party without you even knowing it.
How can you help protect yourself?
Use the following tips to help keep your personal information safe from thieves:
- Keep a close eye on your credit by requesting a free credit report once a year. Call 877.322.8228 or visit annualcreditreport.com. This is the only source authorized by federal law to obtain your free report so don’t be fooled by similar-sounding websites that are in the business of selling credit protection services.
- Review your credit card and bank statements regularly (as often as weekly) for charges you didn’t make. Some thieves will charge a small purchase to test if the account is active; if it goes through undetected, they’ll move on to much larger purchases.
- Be smart about your passwords. Because it’s relatively easy for thieves to obtain information about you from social networking sites, don’t use your phone number, birthday, or names of your children or pets as passwords. Strong passwords include a combination of lowercase and uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Ask the businesses and institutions you work with (or for) about how they secure your information. “Dumpster diving” is a popular way for thieves to access information carelessly thrown away by businesses.
- Don’t fall victim to a phishing scam. If you receive a call or an e-mail that appears to be from a trusted institution or business, don’t immediately provide identifying information. Instead, visit the business’s website and call its customer service number. Or, if the message appears to be from your credit card company, call the number printed on the back of your card.
- Don’t click on links within e-mails. Rather, type the URL directly into your browser’s address line.
- Secure your mail. Before you travel, ask the post office to hold your mail until you return. Don’t leave bill payments in an unsecured mailbox and have reordered checks delivered to your bank rather than mailed to your home.
- Shred your credit card receipts, bank statements, and other documents that could provide a thief with your financial information.
- Don’t carry your credit or debit cards in your wallet if you don’t plan to use them. Never carry your social security number in your wallet.
- Update your computer’s virus protection and don’t open e-mail attachments from people or businesses you don’t know.
- Install a firewall on your computer to thwart hackers.
- Look for the lock icon or “https” address when shopping online. Always log off when leaving a password-protected site.
- Use a wipe utility program before throwing away old computer equipment or smartphones.
If you suspect that your identity has been stolen, follow the steps provided on the Federal Trade Commission’s website at www.ftc.gov/idtheft.
What about identity theft protection services?
With cases of identity theft on the rise, many companies have entered the market with services promising to protect or minimize your risk. Certainly, these services are convenient, but they don’t offer anything you can’t do for free. Furthermore, it’s important to keep in mind that the industry has its own share of fraudulent promoters of worthless services. Be sure to do your research and understand the level of protection the company offers.
Many well-known businesses offer credit monitoring, among other services. Find out more by visiting www.fightidentitytheft.com.
You work hard for your money. Don’t let cyber thieves steal it from you. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me at valerie@grinkmeyerleonard.com. I’m always happy to help.
This material has been provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute either tax or legal advice. Although we go to great lengths to make sure our information is accurate and useful, we recommend you consult a tax preparer, professional tax advisor, or lawyer.
Source: 2018 Identity Fraud: Fraud Enters a New Era of Complexity