After reading AmyZinNC's post about identity theft I figured I should post this...
This appeared in the April 2006 issue of Parenting magazine:
To protect yourself in cyberspace:
-Buy a firewall program to block your computer from being monitored and hacked into. Try Norton Internet Security ($70)
-If you have cable or DSL, turn off your computer when you're not using it so hackers have limited time to do their thing.
-Complicate your password by mixing numbers and letters, and don't let sites remember your password.
-NEVER give out personal information (like your SS#) over email.
-Only shop at secure sites, meaning a padlock icon in the lower-right-hand corner of the screen, a "VeriSign" logo (a big check mark), or "https" in the URL of the check-out page, not just "http".
-Log off, don't just close the window, after banking or shopping.
To Lower your risks for identity theft...
-Carry only one or two credit cards and NOTHING that lists your SS#
-Keep a photo copy of the front and back of all of your cards at home to make canceling them easier if they are lost or stolen
-Substitute your Drivers License number for your SS# whenever possible.
-Check your bank statements and credit card bills carefully for activity you don't recognize.
Some AMAZING Statistics:
According to the FTC every American now in his or her 20's or 30's will likely become a victim at some point if identity theft continues at it's current rate.
30% of identity theft occurs from a lost or stolen wallet
15% of identity thefs occur by someone you know
Another 15% if by an employee of a business where your information is on file
9% of identity's are stolen online
Get a free credit report from
www.annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228
to answer your questions about identity theft or if you have been a victim call the FTC at 1-877-438-4338 or
www.consumer.gov/idtheft
or contact the Identity Theft Resource Center at 858-639-7935 or
www.idtheftcenter.org