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Pairing Education with Action
Can Protect You from Identity Theft
Once you understand the crime identity theft, (Just What is Identity Theft?) you're ready to learn several simple action steps you can take to protect yourself, your family, and even your business, from this crime.
The most important thing to know about identity theft is that it's a crime of opportunity, so everyone is at risk. It is not predominantly a "computer-based" crime, either. In fact, today's modern online security measures has made that source a small fraction of how this crime gets started. Many businesses, like banks, healthcare providers and credit card companies, follow strict guidelines when handling your personal information, so those also pose a limited risk.
Unfortunately, statistics show that nearly 70 percent of the time, the victim's information was obtained offline through "old school" methods, such as lost or stolen wallets, theft by family and friends, and mail theft. This makes it much tougher to point to one thing that can keep you from harm's way.
Instead, focus on reducing the number of opportunities you accidently or unknowingly provide would-be thieves with access to your personal information. Here's how-be alert, know what's in your credit report and take these basic other precautions to protect yourself:
At Home
Today, a growing number of ID theft crimes are committed by someone familiar to the victim—often by someone welcomed into his/her home. Be diligent about putting away financial statements, bills and other important documents and never throw them away in the garbage. Instead, shred the documents you no longer need. What to Shred & What to Keep
On the Go
You probably already practice good safety measures, (e.g. not using an ATM when someone is standing too close to the machine, not carrying your Social Security card with you, and always keeping track of your credit cards), but have you thought about what you carry in your car? If your auto were stolen or broken into, would the thief get away with any important documents or information that you keep in your vehicle?
Travel Tips
When you're on vacation, be sure to stop your mail. Also, remember that some travel documents include personal information (e.g. copy of your itinerary, airline tickets, car rental agreements) so keep them with you and destroy them when you get home.
At Work
If you own or manage a business, are you taking steps to protect your business', your employees' and your customers' personal information? Safeguarding sensitive data in your files and on your computers is just plain good business. The Federal Trade Commission has a great website just for you that includes training materials for your employees so you can be sure everyone at your workplace is on the same page.
Remember: YOU can take action to protect yourself from identity theft.
If you have more questions about identity theft a trustworthy source is the Federal Trade Commission: www.identitytheft.gov or 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338).
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