Avoiding Identity Theft Online
Keeping your identity safe is a matter of keeping track of your own actions online, and making sure you do not leave vital information available for others to use. This is not to say that online purchases or banking should be avoided; it is simply necessary to use your best judgment when doing so.
Utilizing Credit Services
Credit bureaus offer credit reporting to individuals for a fee. These services give you the option of receiving e-mails or text messages on your cell phone concerning changes in your credit report. This will alert you to any changes you did not authorise, which may indicate identity theft.
If you set up your alerts to make contact any time a purchase over $200 is added to your credit report, this service helps you see how your own spending habits are affecting your credit report, but it also aids in thwarting identity theft.
Secure Websites
Using secure websites to transmit your personal information is the easiest way to keep your identity safe. You can see if a website is secure or not by looking for the security certificate or checking for “https” in the URL. Also, if using Internet Explorer or Firefox web browsers, look for small padlock in the frame of your browser, usually in the lower right-hand corner. This serves to let you know that all information displayed or exchanged on the website is encrypted and cannot be stolen.
If you are trying to transmit information over an unsecured site while using Internet Explorer or Firefox, you will receive an alert about the site’s security status or invalid certificate. This will let you know whether the site is secure or not. You should use your best judgment about transmitting information over these sites.
Safeguarding Your Information
Saving passwords, bank account information, credit card numbers, social security numbers and home address information in online wallets is not always safe. If you save passwords on your computer, hackers can easily obtain your passwords and get access to all the information you have saved. Similarly, using online wallets may seem like an easy way to keep track of your information, but can be detrimental to your security.
Instead, write down all the passwords you normally use, along with the website name, on a small pad of paper, and keep this in a safe place. This method will keep your passwords safe from online methods of stealing them.
Never give information over the phone unless you have previously done business with the company on the other end. Very few companies will ask for a social insurance number, a credit card number or any other personal information unless you already have an account open with them and are verifying your information based on a request associated with their business.
Questions or Comments?
