How Do I Avoid Identity Theft

Posts Tagged ‘Valid Social Security’

Avoid identity theft | The Tsinay Writes

May 3rd, 2010 |

Having worked in the call center industry for 6 years opened my eyes to various online schemes and scams, of which the most popular is identity theft. This is a very big problem, especially in the United States, because of their unified identifying system, which means their social security number gives access to private information, including credit information. One can apply for a credit card just by using a valid social security number. This is why users must be very careful who they give their private information to, online or offline.

This information is taken from a press release titled, “Taxes and Personal Data: 5 Ways to Avoid Identity Theft. To find the entire release, click here.

1. Be proactive

Check your credit card and bank statements at least monthly for unusual activity. You should do this regularly, not just when you’ve had a problem. Surprisingly, most people don’t.

2. Know what’s in your credit report

Check your credit report at the three credit reporting agencies — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. You are allowed to check each once a year for free. Go to www.annualcreditreport.com for the government-authorized free reports. Look for any credit accounts you didn’t open, a sure sign someone has stolen your identity and is opening credit lines in your name. A good proactive practice is to check one of the agencies every four months to help catch any major changes throughout the year.

3. Get secure

Maintain an updated computer security program which includes firewall, virus and spyware software. Computers typically come with some protection, but the effectiveness of these and other free programs is debated among computer technicians. Several software products are offered by companies such as Symantec Corp., McAfee Inc. and Trend Micro Inc. They typically range from $30 to $80 and must be renewed each year.

With high-speed Internet connections frequently left on most of the time, an unsecured computer can become a gateway to data theft.

Many consumers also have wireless connections at home so they can use laptops or handheld devices without cables. Make sure any home network is password protected so anyone nearby cannot access that connection. It’s one way thieves can attach keystroke capture devices to your system and learn your passwords. The instructions that came with your wireless router should help walk you through the process.

4. Password protect yourself

Change the passwords on your online accounts. That means bank accounts and any others that have links to credit information or account numbers. It might mean changing e-mail passwords, too. Passwords should include numbers and capital letters. Do not make them the name of your pet, your mother’s maiden name or some other bit of information about you that’s easy to find. It’s wise not to use the same password for every account and to get in the habit of changing them periodically.

5. Use cards carefully

Remember that a credit card uses the banks money, a debit card uses your money. It’s wise to limit the use of a debit card, especially when it comes to online purchases. If a thief steals a debit card, he’s getting your money out of your bank account. It’s more difficult to get your money back once it’s gone.

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Posted in how do i avoid identity theft |

Tags: Bank Statements, Computer Security Program, Computer Technicians, Credit Accounts, Credit Information, Credit Reporting Agencies, Equifax, Experian, High Speed Internet, High Speed Internet Connections, Proactive, Social Security Number, Software Computers, Speed Internet Connections, Symantec Corp, Three Credit Reporting Agencies, Trend Micro Inc, Unsecured Computer, Valid Social Security, Valid Social Security Number |

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Illegal Workers And Identity Theft | Security World News

March 6th, 2010 |

Author: ID Theft PRO

Identity theft is a growing problem throughout the United States and the world. As many as nine million people in this country will have their identities stolen every year. One source of identity theft, although not the only one, is the practice of illegal workers using someone else’s Social Security Number to obtain work and housing. Often, the identities used are of children or the very elderly, because these people aren’t likely to notice that their identities are being used elsewhere to help someone get a job.

If the Social Security Administration’s records don’t match worker information, that worker’s Social Security earning will be sent to a “suspense file.” These files have been around since 1937, and by 2004, accounted for nearly six billion dollars in wages. This money came from more than two hundred sixty million W-2 forms that didn’t match the information that they were supposed to. Theft from illegal workers is the most visible reason for this to happen. Over ninety percent of cases of identity theft are due to this reason. However, you could also find it happening if a worker has changed names without reporting it, or other information problems have occurred.

While the majority of identity theft by undocumented workers is done in an attempt to get a job, some incidents are more sinister. Bank fraud is another very common reason someone – whether legitimately in the country or not – might try to steal your identity. Since a federal immigration reform in 1986, employers have been required to keep the SSN and other information of any employee on hand. This means that all illegal immigrants who are trying to get a job that doesn’t pay under the table have to find some way to give a valid social security number – and that number may be yours.

Recently, the Legislature held an interim meeting to discuss this problem, after which, the Bush administration announced a new policy to attempt to curb this problem. However, this policy is current under litigation, and has been temporarily placed under a restraining order until its validity under the Constitution can be proven. Until the government is able to take an appropriate step to curb identity theft by undocumented workers, there are a few things you can do yourself.

Making sure that all your personal documents have been shredded, using a modern cross-cut shredder, is one way to keep your identity safe. In addition, be careful what kind of information you put out in public, and keep a close eye on your personal identification – driver’s license, Social Security card, etc. – at all times. These techniques will help guard against traditional identity theft – the kind that can involve bank fraud and ruin your credit. However, there’s not a lot you can do to prevent someone from randomly picking your SSN in an attempt to get a job. Until more appropriate legislation comes into being, there’s little we can to do protect ourselves from that problem. Thus now you know more about Illegal Workers and Identity Theft.

Posted in how do i avoid identity theft |

Tags: Bank Fraud, Billion Dollars, Bush Administration, Federal Immigration, Illegal Immigrants, Illegal Workers, Immigration Reform, Information Problems, Prob, Security World, Six Billion, Social Security Administration, Social Security Number, T Pay, Theft Security, Undocumented Workers, Valid Social Security, Valid Social Security Number, Wages, Year One |

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