How Do I Avoid Identity Theft

Why Identity Guard is Important

ID Theft PRO — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 09:01:26 +0000

Throughout the years, conmen and thieves have begun to steal the identity of others. Credit card fraud and cheque scams have increased greatly over time. It has become a big problem and one not so easily resolved as the internet has made it easier to do. Persons need to be aware of ways to guard their identity from being stolen and used unlawfully.

Who Should You Turn to For Identity Theft Assistance?

ID Theft PRO — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 09:01:25 +0000

The best time to get identity theft assistance is before you become a victim of identity theft, not after the fact. But either way there places you can seek assistance.

Where to Find Identity Theft Information

ID Theft PRO — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 09:01:23 +0000

If your identity has been stolen and you are looking for identity theft information, you are unfortunately a little too late. The best thing you can do to stop your identity being stolen is to be proactive and prevent it before it ever begins. Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America and whether you know it or not, you may already have been a victim. We all know that we should take care of our Social Security number, because that is the real key to our identity. That number determines our credit worthiness, our social benefits, and even how much we will make in retirement. You need to protect this number at all costs. You can also find more information from other resources:

* Your local police department will have at least one officer, if not an entire department, dedicated consumer fraud including the theft of identities. They can give you lots of tips on how to prevent this crime from occurring and what to do after the event.

* You can get information from the three major credit reporting agencies. Although they may not be particularly helpful after an identity crime has occurred, they do have plenty of information that can help you prevent the crime.

* Your state and the federal government have websites that are fully dedicated to theft of identities and online criminal activities. By finding out the many ways that thieves are trying to get your money and get your identity, you will be better able to protect yourself.

Perhaps the best resource for identity theft information is a company that provides identity theft protection. Their business is to protect you from having your personal information becoming compromised and they can provide you with software and tips to prevent it from happening in the first place.

Credit Cards » Identity theft and credit card fraud!

ID Theft PRO — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:02:09 +0000

Identity thieves others to use personal information for many things. The most common use is the credit card fraud. After obtaining a target of personal details, thieves can open new lines of credit, to divert the credit card accounts available, and go on spending sprees with other people’s money. Here is an overview of the many tactics thieves use to commit identity fraud by credit card.

The opening of new accounts
Armed with personal information such as name, date of birth and social security number, thieves can impersonate someone else to open new lines of credit. They can apply for credit cards on behalf of the victim, or steal prequalified credit offers from the target, the mailbox or trash. These sometimes contain preselected credit cards that thieves can activate it by calling a toll-free number. Many victims do not know that someone has taken the credit cards in their name until they receive calls from debt collectors or obtain loans fell due to a low credit score.

Misuse of existing accounts
In addition to opening new lines of credit, identity thieves can use them adequate information to make the audit. They are using their personal information from the victim to “verify” the thief of identity as the true account holder. Then the thief changes the account details such as PINs, passwords, billing and mailing address. Once an identity thief has control of any accounts it may be difficult to return to the proper owner before the thief wreaks financial havoc.

Skimming
Through the use of palm-sized devices for reading cards, thieves can drag all of their victims’ information card in no time at all. Skimming is a subtle, which typically crime is not detected until the victim notices of fraudulent credit card. Anyone who hands their card to an employee in the stores or restaurants is a potential target for scavengers. Some courses are also located in the gas pump and ATM card reader slots. This information card collection for identity thieves to use, and most devices are impossible for casual observers to detect.

Phishing and Vishing
Phishing is a scam that thieves use to trick victims into providing personal information. Some thieves send e-mails that appear to come from banks or popular websites. They provide a link for the recipient to follow. The link takes the victim to a login page where they enter their information to verify it. What they really do is give their contact information for identity thieves. This scam can also be stored on the phone. This variant is known as vishing. Scammers claim to be representatives of the IRS or the victim’s personal bank. They ask the victim to verify the account information and personal data, or providing a telephone number where information can be entered from a telephone keypad.

Anytime someone uses a credit card without the permission of the cardholder, the fraud was committed. Credit card fraud is very popular and profitable type of identity theft and possibly cause more financial harm to the victim. To protect yourself, never give personal information over the phone. Avoid clicking on links in e-mails. Only pay with a credit card when you have, and stick to reputable companies that you are familiar. Well look at your credit card statements each month. Some crooks are many small charges that do not trigger alerts of fraud. If you see suspicious activity on your monthly bill, contact your card issuer immediately.

The best way to protect against credit card fraud is to take proactive steps to reduce your exposure to theft and possible diligently monitor your credit file. Although these measures may be carried out free of charge, we recommend some type of protection against identity theft including theft insurance. Many of us do not have the time or energy to regularly check our credit history and identity protection services are becoming more affordable. The protection industry of identity theft has really evolved, research, products, services and approaches vary greatly.

Police warn of rise in identity thefts locally, across the US …

ID Theft PRO — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:02:02 +0000

ST. CHARLES, Ill. (STMW) — In light of a recent uptick in identity thefts, police are warning residents to take added care in disposing of waste that may contain personal information.

St. Charles Police Department spokesman Paul McCurtain said several cases of identity theft have been reported over the last two weeks.

Throughout the area and across the country, such crimes have been on the rise as personal information such as bank statements and credit card applications have been seized, while Social Security numbers have been sold to falsify resident and work status. The FBI reports that it is the fastest-growing crime in the United States.

“There is just so much information that you can get on someone without leaving your house,” Kane County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Pat Gengler said. “You can sit on a computer and there is just all kinds of stuff out there where you might get somebody’s Social Security number or an address.”

Despite the prevalence of Internet-related identity thefts, police still suggest that residents not hesitate to report stolen wallets or purses, and notify credit card companies, banks and the Social Security office sooner rather than later to avoid the chance of vital information being used by thieves.

Also, authorities said, don’t respond to e-mails made to look like legitimate requests from financial institutions to verify user names, passwords and other information.

“No legitimate company would conduct business that way,” McCurtain warned.

Another common source for potentially valuable personal information can often be found right outside the doors of most residents, as improper disposal of old mail can have disastrous financial consequences.

Old receipts, billing statements, credit card applications, as well as any medical or financial information sent through the mail, should be shredded to avoid the possibility of vital information getting into the wrong hands, police said.

So far this year, 24 incidents of identity theft have been reported in St. Charles, compared with 25 for the same period in 2009.

In Elgin, city police said they have received 81 reports of identity theft so far in 2010.

how to avoid credit card fraud and Identity theft?

ID Theft PRO — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:01:03 +0000

Identity theft is a huge problem in today’s society. 1 in 20 adults are being victimized by identity theft. It is the fastest growing crime today, scary.

I have found that LifeLock is the best precaution you can take against identity theft. It only cost 10/month and protects your money up to a million dollars.

Ways to Avoid Keyloggers | Neath Design

ID Theft PRO — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:01:01 +0000

Ways to Avoid Keyloggers

If you want to protect your assets analyze your transactions and always look for abnormalities in you monthly bills for credit card, etc, especially if you are working with paperless transactions and banking online, this can help decrease the risk of identity theft.

Keyloggers victimized more than 50% say they’ve been targeted by Internet identity theft perpetrators through e-mail that usually installs malwares in the form of keyloggers in your computer.. If you are doing your transaction online make sure you do not fall in the traps set by keyloggers. About nearly half of the American fall in the trap set by them and lost thousand if not all their money, make sure you are not one of them.

Although it is easier to transact online, but ore more likely to be hacked, a lot of scams have been placed online to trap each and every one of us. If you want to protect yourself from identity theft, get identity protection software installed and avoid all this.

Many have fallen prey to them, lost money and even their trust in the internet. Dont be one of the victims, use your brain and be cautious.consumer ratings

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How to Prevent and Detect Trojan Horses · Mcu Data Logger

ID Theft PRO — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 16:51:49 +0000

Has your computer developed a mind of its own? Is your computer doing things such as the mouse moving on its own and the CD-ROM drawer moving on its own? You knew your computer was smart, but not smart, right? It is good to know that there are steps you can take to help prevent and detect Trojan Horses. Like the ancient Greek Trojan Horses that appeared as innocent, but were very destructive, computer Trojan Horses are malicious software that masquerade as something harmless, useful, and innocent. A Trojan horse in fact can allow a hacker to take full control of your computer. The hacker could actually have more control of your computer than you have. The cyber crook could even install a keystroke logger onto your computer, allowing them to see every keystroke you type. This malicious software could allow them to record your passwords, banking info, credit card number, and other personal information. This could enable the hacker to steal your identity and you could become yet another victim of identity theft, one of the fastest growing crimes in Canada and the USA.

Trojan Horses get into your system by pretending to be something good, useful, and innocent. This is very much like the ancient Greek Trojan Horse. Did you download an image or video file off of Usenet, a cool game or MP3 music file from a file sharing site such as Kazaa or Limewire? The file very well might be bundled with more than you bargained for – a Trojan Horse or other malicious software.

Trojan Horses are downright scary and a real threat to your Internet security and privacy. In fact, this malware could lead to you becoming a victim of identity theft. Ready to disconnect your Internet forever and throw your computer out the window? Well, don’t do that just yet. It is should be reassuring that there are things that we can do to help detect and remove Trojan Horses.

Probably the biggest line of defense for helping prevent having your computer infected with a Trojan Horse or other malicious software is being careful what you do online. Avoid using file sharing sites using the Gnutella network to download free movies, MP3 music files, etc. These sites are notorious for containing files infected with malware, including Trojan Horses. Use caution when downloading files off Usenet. Also, be careful what you freeware you download. That cool game could very well contain more than you bargained for – a Trojan Horse or other malicious software. Only download programs from reputable sources. Never accept programs transferred by instant messaging applications. Finally, never open an email attachment from someone you don’t know. In fact, never open an email attachment from even someone you know that is unfamiliar and/or unexpected, as their system could be infected with a Trojan Horse or other malware. Confirm that the sender did actually send you the email before opening.

If you have no other internet security software installed on your computer, ensure you have anti-virus software installed on your computer. Don’t forget to keep your anti-virus software up-to-date, as anti-virus software is only as good as the last update. It is good to know that most anti-virus software automatically updates. There is also free anti-virus software online to download. AVG offers free anti-virus software, also bundled with free anti-spyware software. In a recent report Maximum PC gave AVG Anti-virus Free a rating of “good”, 7/10.

Ensure that you have anti-spyware software installed on your computer. Maximum PC actually recommends you have Spybot Search & Destroy as well as two other anti-spyware programs installed on your computer. It is good to know that there are free anti-spyware programs, including Spybot Search & Destroy, to download online. Windows Vista actually includes Windows Defender, a free anti-spyware program.

Finally, be sure to keep your operating system up-to-date with the latest security patches, to help protect yourself from Trojan Horses and other malicious software. For the latest Windows updates go to http://update.microsoft.com.

By following these internet security tips you can indeed help prevent and detect Trojan Horses and other malicious software. When it comes to Trojan Horses and other malware, an ounce of prevention is indeed worth a pound of cure.

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Stop Identity Theft Before It Stops You | FiGuide

ID Theft PRO — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 16:51:47 +0000

Tips on avoiding identity theft are everywhere, and we probably all know someone who’s had to deal with this issue. But even though we’re all aware of the risk, it’s sometimes easy to become lax in taking regular precautions. So here’s your reminder to stay on top of this, and some easy reference points to help make it take less time. We can never protect ourselves completely, but we can certainly make identity theft a lot more difficult and less likely.

Equifax: www.equifax.com
(800) 685-1111

Experian: www.experian.com
(888) 397-3742

TransUnion: www.transunion.com
(800) 916-8800

To stop telephone calls from national telemarketers, list your telephone number with the Federal Trade Commission’s National Do Not Call Registry by calling (888) 382-1222 or registering online at www.donotcall.gov

To remove your name from most national mailing and e-mailing lists, as well as most telemarketing lists, write the Direct Marketing Association at 1120 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036-6700, or register online at www.dmachoice.org

To remove your name from marketing lists prepared by the three national consumer reporting agencies, call (888) 567-8688 or register online at www.optoutprescreen.com

When given the opportunity to do so by your bank, investment firm, insurance company, and credit card companies, opt out of allowing them to share your financial information with other organizations

You may even want to consider having your name and address removed from the telephone book and reverse directories

On Changing Passwords and Protecting Personal Information

ID Theft PRO — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 08:55:18 +0000

When someone steals your mobile phone or your iPad, you will notice it immediately and act on it straightaway. But when someone inserts a cookie on your computer that will enable a theft to gather your personal data once you do business online, like go to eBay or send email or maybe use your credit card online, it may take longer. But before you notice it, the personal data can be used by the hacker or sell it to people willing to pay cash to switch an identity.