4 Ways to Keep Your Identity Safe
Privacy is a big deal for me and my family. I need to protect our privacy AND still be visible to my customers and clients that depend on me for critical information. So I’m constantly reading up on how the scammers and government spies are stealing our information.
Of course the most common crime perpetrated by these lowlifes is identity theft. It’s a $50 billion a year industry and the most prevalent crime in America right now. There is literally an army of people across the globe trying to snatch your critical information and your money.
Here are a few steps to foil the ID thieves:
- Shred everything. And I do mean everything. ID thieves, often fueled by methamphetamine drug addiction, can piece together small bits of junk mail and other information that might seem innocent to you. They can use this to pull credit in your name.
- Monitor your credit. Services like Identity Guard and Lifelock are pretty good at securing your credit report and letting you know when something new pops up. But you need to stay on top of it too. Pull your report at least quarterly and note any changes that seem fishy. Dispute anything and everything that seems inaccurate or suspicious.
- Create a verbal password at your bank. Most banks are adopting this security measure now, but you can insist that your bank do it now or lose your business. Create a password that you can remember and make sure that the bank asks for it before any withdrawals, wire transfers, check orders, and any personal info is given out. Scammers often call the bank and pretend they are you to get critical bank information. Make sure your bank knows that you want to be password protected and notified of any suspicious activity on your accounts.
- Keep your information out of the public eye. Take your name off the mailbox. Turn on ALL of Facebook’s and Google’s privacy settings. Never make your family tree public, thieves can do a lot of damage with your mother’s maiden name. Keep your name out of Who’s Who lists, they are a detailed biography of usually pretty successful people and ID thieves farm them for names.
Remember, no one cares more for your security that you do. Take your privacy into your own hands – TODAY.
37 Comments
I tried to purchase a Recondition for Batteries for $ 47 in December 2015 & I never received the two books to explain these? Now, how do I report this Scam so the Govt will try to make this okay by repaying my money or send me the books! Tell me how to report this problem & maybe make the scammer go to prison? Thank you!
I’ll go ya one better than shredding your personal documents. I burn all mine completely in the fireplace. There always may be some idiot wanting to piece together those shredded bank statements.
I’VE NEVER THOUGHT OF LIEING WHEN ASKED ABOUT FAMILY NAMES. GOOD IDEA IF I CAN JUST REMEMBER TO WRITE IT DOWN AND WHO ASKED FOR THE INFO. MY SHREDED PAPERS ARE PLACED WET IN MY FLOWER BEDS AND COVERED WITH MIRACLE GROW. GOOD FOR MY WARM CLIMATE IN THE SUMMER. BE YE KIND ABOUT POOR GRAMMAR!!
You can freeze your credit files at the three credit reporting agencies for a minimal charge, depending on the state in which you reside. Then no one can open a new account without knowing what your password is to unlock the files. There is no monthly fee for this as there is for credit monitoring services. There is a charge to unfreeze your credit file as well, but this seems less expensive than the monthly fees charged by companies that monitor your accounts and report to you after there is a problem. Complete details can be found at ClarkHoward.com
I have my identity stolen already & no “governmental agency appears to be able to straighten it out. Also recently had my passwords from Facebook stolen 10 times. States all over the country (my information) was appearing. I have continued in changing my email addresses, with one exception, this email address. Yesterday I tried to retrieve my email and it states my address is under investigation. Two days before I received an email from F.E.M.A. stated in case of hurricane,tornado,earthquake or other emergencies we could “order from F.E.M.A. emergency foods. (They look like Patriot packages) They ask foe email address & phone number. I did not order or give information because I don’t know who is who anymore.But I know F.E.M.A. is a federal entity & American tax dollars pay for these departments for emergencies. Something fishy going on. I want to get off the GED but I’m on S.S. at the moment. Send advice. Thank you
My husband and I are Identity Theft Specialists. We may be able to help you.
I ordered a $4.95 bottle of skin care on the internet using a credit card with my credit union. The company scammed my card and billed me for $2,000 worth of merchandise that I did not order nor did I receive it. I did pick up one package at the post office windown but refused to acctpt it.
Tip No. 5: photocopy ALL credit cards, medical ID cards, etc that you ever carry around in your wallet or purse. Add vendor contact phone numbers to the copy and keep in a safe place at home. For those on Medicaid, Medicare, etc, razor out the last 4 digits of your SSI No. and keep the copy in your wallet/purse.
Another tip: When choosing the answer to security questions do not actually answer the question. Choose a different answer. For example–question is name of first pet–answer is Edison Power and Light.
The concept is that real word answers are much easier for you to remember than a string of odd letters and numbers but by choosing an answer that does not answer the question thieves and hackers are MUCH less likely to correctly ‘guess’ the right one no matter how much of your personal data they have.
paperless statements are good especially credit card because banks includes check with them so you can pay off another credit card to get a special rate. my friend they stole his statement out of his mail box use one of those checks he lives in new york a check was cashed in Illinois. Facebook,twitter my space dangerous people put to much info out there if you post pictures some cameras on the digital photo have a built in GPS so you know where the photo was taken cell phones especially have this option it can be turned off if you phone has this You should change passwords often . I like online banking because you can check daily if there any changes in your accounts.If you are on vacation in another country call your credit company and tell them where you going and the dates if you don’t the bank may block any charges if they see a charge..Debit cards have an option if it’s overdrawn the bank will fund it but they will be a charge for it.do not use this option this will limit you loss if you card is hacked.
What you said is absolutely correct. I wrote a book on Scam Protection in 2009 and published in 2010 as a result of my becoming involved as a victim of several online scams. Result gathered data from U. S. crime fighting agencies, Canada, the UK, and Interpol got their permission to use their data and wrote this book. The book is called ‘Scammers Among Us Beware’ published by Eloquent Books. You may view it on Amazon plus available on Kindle and other e-book readers. Please check it out. Don’t just take my word for it. Be Scam Smart. Be Street Smart. You can also find me on LinkedIn. Thank you. Remember a Scam is anything a seller says is right when it is not.
wasn’t’t aware of the “verbal password” at the bank, thank you very much.
Thanks for reminding your readers of the responsibility of protection. A couple other reminders close to my heart, DO NOT have your child’s name on his clothing including shoes, backpack, lunch box or anything they carry or wear. Public events or theme parks are classic targets for predators, and having the ‘matching family t-shirts’ on and repeating the child’s name out loud is an open invitation for an outsider to become personal.
Also, do not publish your family vacation pictures online. especially if you are still enjoying the holiday. All has been said before, just a friendly reminder.
Yes, yes, yes! I’m amazed when parents think nothing of having their children in a t-shirt with their name on it.
We don’t just shred – we burn all papers and mail that have any info. Fortunately, we live in a rural area, so we have that option. We also do not use the drive through or ATM at our bank – we always walk in to the counter. The tellers know us by name and by recognition and we also know them. We withdraw what we need for small purchases for that day and leave the rest in the bank (this also stops us from the “nickel and dime” syndrome that a lot of us do while shopping). We don’t ever use public ATMs – there are so many scams involved with them, that we just don’t even go there.
Valuable information and comments. I would just add the following: I have had a post office box for more than 20 years. Much easier to thieves to steal from your street mailbox than from your post office box. All important materials are received at the post office. I do not have my newspaper or mail that comes to my home stopped when I am away from home for a day(s). I have a trusted and reliable friend get these for me on a daily basis. Never allow your computer or services that you are using (such as google, internet explorer, etc.) to “remember your user id” and/or password. Take the moments it takes to enter them yourself each time u use your computer. I have recently also used two services that were mentioned in a recent issue of the AARP magazine that stop ALL unwanted mail from coming to me. I stopped them indefinitely. Anyway, hope these thoughts are also of value. Best wishes.
Please pass on the info from AARP that “stopped all unwanted mail”.
Thank you
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0262-stopping-unsolicited-mail-phone-calls-and-email
G’day Frank!
Great article and very timely.
My two banks CITIBANK and National Australia Bank, both have instituted a system which is very helpful. Whenever we do a transaction with them, and after the usual ID checks, they send a Code number usually of four numbers to my cell phone. I have to retrieve the one time number, and enter that code number into my page during internet banking, BEFORE any details can be seen. Seems to be working fairly well so far.
Best wishes,
Don.
Those are excellent recommendations. I am all for the verbal password being initiated and enforced, at the bank
I think everyone should get a shredder, as inexpensive as possible.
I also believe everyone should secure the services of Lifelock.
Thank you for the really good information you supply us with.
very good
My car was broken into. I’m not sure what info was taken. Be sure to remove sensitive info from your car too. I have a really loud, really sensitive car alarm now.
Very good Frank. I appreciate the advice me and my family receive from you. Keep up the good work. Thank you
Keep up the good work Frank, we need people like you who go looking for the good info that will help us all.
Good advice….another thing that might be added is E-mail security.
one of my accounts was recently hacked.
now fixed with VERY strong password and image protection to get into e-mail. in other words we can never be careful enough.
You do a great job with all your information, thank you so much.
2012 over 300,000 SC citizens tax files were compromised when security measures weren’t updated by the government. It made national news letting everyone know the tax system had been compromised when folks were filing or had already filed their taxes. Everyone was advised to check their credit reports, charge cards and accounts for accuracy as well as to contact their banks to check on accounts. Computers are good teaching tools but hackers are out there, no information is safe.Good advice, suggestions given here, thanks.
Good advice; I think I’ll take it!
Very good article and good points to remember. With today’s information highway, the Internet, most activity is done on-line either through a PC, MAC or Mobile device and your privacy is wide open and ready to be compromised. The biggest issue today is that no one takes an affirmative stand against the “bad people” and we play only a defensive role with outdated technology. Technology has not kept pace with the detriments imposed on users of the Internet.
Truth is the internet from day one was never designed for security. If someone wants the data in your PC or wants to infect you so you can then infect even bigger fish, they can easily do it at will and you will never know when it occurred, who did it, how it was done or that your PC is infected and giving away all your secrets.
The internet is the Wild West of Information and no one seems to really be concerned with EFFECTIVE security because the Internet would have to be re-invented to have any level of real security. What is offered today is “Old School” technology for good enough internet protection.
As an Internet security specialist I have been helping Internet users with their internet connections for years and it is very easy to run into a big problem especially with many Wi-Fi hotspots available today. Some users in your proximity, while you access a Wi-fi Hotspot, may be able to “sniff” you traffic remotely and see what you are accessing, including your login names and passwords for many popular websites. Although I know how to manually protect my computer, I find it much easier to let Jumpto protect all my connections without a manual setup. When I use Jumpto I know that no hacker can see my traffic, ever. It is unfortunate that hackers prey on vulnerable people who do not know how to defend themselves while accessing the Internet.
In life there are the “brave ones” and the “cowards” that hide behind them…Always criticizing the efforts of the brave ones. Thank you Frank for being the “brave one” and putting yourself out there. As far as the cowards who criticize your grammar,…They are sticks without berries. What good have you done in the world today? Cultivate your own garden instead of criticizing your neighbors. And while you are at it….Plant some berries.
great advises at a time in our lives when it is so important every day for all of us
Few years ago someone stole my cc numbers and ran up a charge
Luckily I was able to prove it after several investigative meetings
Also, change passwords every so often
Thanks
Last week someone in Houston Tx tried to access my internet account, which of course, has access to my bank account. Google notified me of both attempts and refused to let them on my website. They knew I had never accessed my account via mobile phone or from Houston, TX. I really appreciate their vigilance.
Bank of America was also terrific. They helped me change to wildly different passwords, totally different from one account to another They also said if someone did access my charge cards or checking i would not lose the money and they would cover it.
Finally they told me to get in touch with Experian, Transunion etc. and put a freeze on my credit so that no one can open an account in my name unless they call me and get my permission. This freeze will be active for three months and I will renew it when it expires. Experian was very helpful in that they notified the other two credit agencies for me.
If anyone knows further steps I should take, I would appreciate being informed.
Quite a number of years ago, I remember a bank asking me for a verbal password. Much more common seems to be the security question. All too often, that question is, “What was your mother’s maiden name?” Anyone with access to information about your grandparents or uncles on your mother’s side of the family knows her maiden name. With all of those websites that claim to be able to find people, that information is out there everywhere. What I have often done, especially with online accounts, is lie. For example, when they ask for your mother’s name, put in the name of a second cousin or your best friend’s aunt, or just make up a name. The important thing is that you remember what you answered, and anyone who gets your real information will answer the question incorrectly. It probably goes without saying, but never give any information to anyone you don’t know who calls you on the phone, no matter who they claim to be. Even with caller ID, unless you positively recognize the number as belonging to an institution you do business with and trust, you have no way of knowing who is really on the other end of the line. Also, be aware of how businesses you frequent treat your personal information. Several years ago, I had some unauthorized charges on one of my credit cards. The people at the auto repair shop where I brought my car had a habit of leaving customer’s repair orders on the counter while they went off to answer the phone. I suspect that someone walking by took the opportunity to get my information from the paperwork, since that was one of only two establishments where I had used that card during the preceding months.
Thank you for the helpful information. Did not know about the “verbal password”. Good idea.
re: one error (SKIP H.) proper english is: ‘My family and I’, not ‘me and and my family’.
but on to more important things.. another hint is when you have your checks printed NEVER, EVER have your first name on them. Use just an initial. That way thieves have NO idea what full name to sign or use from a possibly lost check or even deposit slip that you wrote a note on. NEVER use your SS# on them either, NOR your driver’s licience, and mainly..try not to shop at amazon. They do NOT allow you to opt out. You have to apply and beg for months to have them remove your info. They have NO opt out options!! (period!). I found this out when I shopped with them once and my debit card was hacked within the same day and several $100.00 gift cards purchased on my account for places I have NEVER shopped (never will shop, and contacted as soon as I got my statement). Amazon was the ONLY place I had used the card. NEVER carry your cards unless they are in those protective aluminum lined sleeves (you can make your own or get them very cheaply on ebay). You can also change your accounts for free every so often at banks or tell them you will go elsewhere. Tell them you want to be contacted if ANYONE accesses you account, even their own bank officers. They can access even which computer the request came from to tell your WHO at the bank looked at your account and when.
And, if you have a typo or error in internet communications, don’t stress over it, LOL.
Proof-reading can go a long way to avoid identity theft. ReadIng your blog I found at least one error. Can you find it? Not being facetious, just trying to help :)
Most identity thieves that I have encountered were not meth heads. They were average tax paying individuals. Go figure.
You can also put a freeze on your credit files where a company is unable to pull your credit report.