3 Fast Ways to Prevent Identity Theft |
 |
by: Janna Weiss
Lately, there have been recent reports of massive credit card security breaches. Hackers and scammers are always on the look-out for an easy score. You can’t keep them from targeting big corporations, but you can take steps to ensure they don’t get your personal information through any fault of your own.
You’ve heard the usual advice: don’t carry all of your credit cards in your wallet; don’t give out your credit card number over the phone; and don’t shop online except at trusted web sites with good security measures in place. What else can you do to protect yourself?
Don’t fall for phishing scams. These scams can come in the form of official-sounding e-mails, text messages, or phone calls. The premise is typically the same: your account has shown “suspicious activity”, and now you must provide your PIN, password, or Social Security Number in order to verify your identity and regain access to your account. Don’t fall for it! The scammer might claim to work for your bank, a major retailer, or even the IRS. The problem is that none of those entities will ask for your personal account details via text, phone, or e-mail. If you receive a phishing message, simply ignore it and contact the actual business using their official contact information. Chances are, you’re not the only victim they’ve heard from.
Lock your computer. Did you know that the workplace is a popular environment for identity theft? If you’ve been paying your bills or doing some holiday shopping online, lock your workstation before you leave – even for a short break. It doesn’t take long for a co-worker to walk over to your desk and sniff through your computer files. Protect your credit card numbers and other private information by locking your workstation. Use a password that’s hard to guess. While you’re at it, keep your wallet or purse with you at all times, or leave them in a locked desk drawer; the easiest way for someone to steal your credit card numbers is to simply swipe the cards themselves. Then you can rest assured that your information is safeguarded, even when you’re away.
Don’t send money. The “Nigerian” scam, named for its country of origin, has taken many forms. It used to show up via e-mails that congratulated the target on their recent inheritance, or winning lottery numbers. Now it’s found everywhere from pet adoption web sites to online job boards. The scam involves an “advance payment” - usually some kind of processing fee. To stay safe, you should never wire money or share your bank account details with anyone, no matter how sincere they seem. Also, most pet adoption web sites limit the amount of money that can be charged for an adoption. If the amount seems suspiciously high (hundreds of dollars), report the individual to the site’s administrator to make sure everything is legitimate.
Identity thieves will stoop very low to get their hands on your financial information. Don’t make their job any easier. Be a smart cardholder by knowing their dirty tricks and learning how to avoid them.
|
Did you find this article helpful? |
| 
