Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes this century. The Federal Trade Commission states "Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personally identifying information, like your name, Social Security Number, or credit card number, without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes." It's been called a "victimless" crime - until it happens to you. Many people feel that they will not be a victim of identity theft because in their opinion they don't have a lot that can be taken. Only 25% of identity theft incidents involve actual credit. Other reasons for identity theft include avoiding arrest and prosecution, revenge, and terrorism. Many identity thieves actually pay their (or rather your) taxes, mortgages and social security. However, they are still not doing it legally and this can mess up a credit rating and your medical history.
There are seven ways that you may be unnecessarily exposing yourself to identity thieves. The main thing is to be aware of how you may be inadvertently making it easier for thieves to steal your identity.
Exposing yourself to personal risk by giving out personal information when you haven't initiated the contact or by giving out too much personal information when you do initiate the contact.
Many thieves use a process called "phishing". This is when they send out an e-mail or use a phone call asking you to verify some personal information. The thieves are very clever in that their e-mails, web-sites and phone services come across as extremely professional. Trust that the companies that hold your personal data will not seek out your information in this fashion. And they will never ask you for you to provide your password. Use due diligence and ask yourself if you initiated the contact or are you responding to an e-mail or phone call? If you completely initiated, then trust you are talking to your company. If you are responding to a request, whether from a phone call or e-mail, then do not provide any personal information.
The cell phone is now becoming a tool for thieves as well. Be careful with the information you provide via texting. In one incident a man had his cell phone and wallet stolen. In his wallet was his debit card. The thief then texted the wife, who was identified as "wife" in the cell phone with a simple message "Honey, I forgot our pin". She texted the pin back. Have a plan in place with loved ones as to what are unacceptable texting topics. Verify that you are "talking" with who you think you are talking with before providing this information.
Exposing yourself on various web-sites such as for job searches and social networking.
If you are looking for employment, you probably are thinking of ways to make it easier for companies to find you and by posting your on-line resume, you provide such details as your full name, e-mail address, and other contact information. This is one of the fastest growing areas that identity thieves are using.
A couple of simple suggestions to make sure you are not at risk. Mask your contact info - the larger job sites do have this option. Employers must ask for your permission to see the details. Yes this does limit the number of times your resume is viewed, but it also limits the number of sketchy offers you will receive as well. If you are unable to mask your info and you still choose to use that site, then set up a different e-mail specifically for this job hunt purpose. And once hired, delete your resume.
Never provide your social security number on-line. A social security number is not necessary for an interview and is not needed until you are actually in the hiring process.
Be aware of phony offers. Similar to other phishing e-mails, now identity thieves are posing as employers and ask for personal information. Verify any offers of employment by doing an independent search of the company and contact person by doing your own Google search.
If you choose to go on a social networking site such as MySpace, Facebook or ConnectU be scrupulous about what personal information you choose to share. Many times identity thieves don't even have to ask you for the information - oftentimes people put out their cell phone numbers, addresses, and other contact info for anyone to see. This is not even making it challenging for an identity thief to pounce on the information and use it quickly.
Exposure by using easily available information for passwords - such as mother's maiden name, birthdate, last four digits of social security number and using the same password each time.
To reduce risk here, think of something that is relatively unknown about you. If you want to keep it simple for you to remember and want to go with the birthday route you can use the birthday of the first person you ever kissed or the birthday of your favorite historical person.
Exposure by placing outgoing mail with personal information in an unsecured mailbox rather than going to post office or using another secure collection.
Use the post-office for the highest security. The next best thing is a secure blue postal box. Thieves can take your mail, open it up and use it as they see fit. Thieves will not respect that the envelope is not addressed to them. Yes to open something that isn't addressed to them is a felony, but think about it, they're probably not too concerned about not violating one law in exchange for another.
Exposure by tossing account statements, charge slips, expired charge cards, and/or free credit offers in the mail without shredding.
Shredders are inexpensive and invaluable in protecting yourself. Be sure to shred CD disks that have personal data and strip clean old hard drives.
Exposure by not knowing your billing statements and not being able to follow up with creditors if your bills are not arriving on time.
If your accounts have been hi-jacked, you need to react immediately. When a thief has taken your existing account he or she will usually contact your credit card company and report your card as missing or stolen and give a new address to send the card to. Ironically, the credit card company will then cancel out the PIN on your existing cards and send out new cards to the thief.
Exposing yourself by leaving your personal info in an unsecured location at home or at work.
Sadly, a lot of identity thieves come not from strangers but from people we invite into our home.
The bottom line is no-one will protect your best asset - your name - better than you.
The best thing you can do to protect yourself is to buy an identity theft protection and restoration plan. Make sure the plan is all encompassing and the company is aggressive. Choose a company that monitors your account daily, reports any new accounts immediately and will assist you in recovering your assets. Also, choose a company that focuses on protecting you - not challenging criminals to steal your identity to prove a point.
Grainne Callan is an identity theft protection specialist. Having experienced the frustration of being a victim before it was the buzzword it is today, she knows how time and energy consuming it can be to try to do it all on your own. She now works with individuals to protect their best assets and achieve peace of mind knowing that trained professionals are monitoring their accounts daily. For more information, send an e-mail to
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