How Is Your Identity Stolen?
Topics: identity protection, identity theft
One of the most common crimes on the rise is identity theft. While this may have been around for centuries, with the advancement of modern technology, identity theft has grown by leaps and bounds in the last couple decades. This article will discuss two ways identity theft occurs today and what you can do to prevent it.
The first primary method is the time-tested method that still exists today: stolen identity from physical sources. What this means is people who steal your credit card, checks, or even mail have ways to access your identity and accounts. These thefts are fairly common as people can steal your wallet, pick up a lost card, use card readers, or even open an account up in your name. To prevent this, you should immediately notify your credit card company if you know you have lost a card and actively check your credit card/bank statements. You should also actively check your credit report at least once a year to make sure no one has opened a fraudulent account in your name. For those who do not know, the three main credit agencies have to give you a free credit report each year and thus you can basically check your credit three times a year for fraudulent accounts.
The second common method is people who gain access to your information through technology. This often occurs through your personal computer and through various ways. One way is the viruses and malware that exists on your computer. If someone has access to your computer through these methods, then they can install various programs such as keystrokes that can steal information about your logins and passwords. To prevent this, you should install anti-virus and spyware scanner software and actively manage online accounts you have. Another way they can use technology is by sending fake emails that pretend are from your bank and access for your account information. You should note that your bank will never send you an email asking for your information so never open those emails or go to the websites they dictate. These are fake websites! Just remember, what is important to you is the consequences of the theft.
So, just be on the lookout and actively manage all accounts you have and make sure to run those annual credit reports to ensure you are on top of all accounts that you have!
Mike Gentleman writes about credit identity protection and gives insightful information to protect your identity. Check out his site creditidentityprotectionguide.com for more details.
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