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Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Information On The Best Identity Theft Protection

By Elena McDowell


Identity theft is regarded as a crime in most areas of the world. It basically involves stealing and using the identity of another person without his or her consent. Typically this criminal behavior is done as a way to access various resources, credit and other benefits. Utilizing the best identity theft protection may be a top priority for a lot of people, as victims may face many consequences if they are held responsible for the actions of the thieves.

This kind of theft involves taking the name, social security number, credit card information, identification number or other personal info from an individual without permission. Usually this is done to commit crimes, including fraud. Most of the time, victims are not aware of the activity until a lot of damage has been done to ruin their financial status and identity.

There has been an increase in this type of theft in recent times. Some of the most common ways for thieves to get access to sensitive info is through hacking unsecure wireless networks or computers, email or phone scams, receipts or documents found in trash, or stolen credit cards or wallets. Once they gain access to this information they are able to purchase items, open new cards and even file for tax returns under your name.

Luckily, there are many ways a person can safeguard such personal information. Some techniques or tips will come at a cost. Still, there are many resources that offer free information on the topic of protection.

In the modern times, the Internet and computers are used for all types of personal activities. People should set passwords with high strength and switch them out frequently. It is recommended to avoid passwords that can be easily guessed, are common or include birth dates, pet names, maiden names, and school or work names. A good password that is considered safe may include a couple capital letters, as well as a numeric or other character. Make sure to change out the password from time to time.

Be cautious of what you share with others, especially on social media websites. A lot of personal information is shared through these sources and can be used in order to authenticate who a person is. Avoid posting phone numbers, SSN, birth place, birth date or address on these sites.

Furthermore, make sure that sensitive personal information or financial documents are secure. A lot of people store this information on their personal computers and if they do, should make sure these devices are protected with a firewall, anti-spyware and anti-virus. Physical, hard documents that include sensitive information are to be shredded up before disposal. Other things that can be done: frequently checking credit report, not falling for scams, protecting mobile devices.

If you think that your personal information has been stolen, be sure to put a hold on important accounts, change all passwords and officially file a complaint. Even individuals using the best identity theft protection techniques are subject to this situation. There are a lot of free resources available to those interested in safeguarding their information from thieves.




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