Cyber Fraud & Identity Theft Prevention
There are many people out there that have DSL or cable
connections that don't have proper firewalls or up to date
antivirus programs in place. Too many think it just came with
the computer. This can create a breach and your privacy
violated. The General Accounting Office now puts identity theft
at 750,000 victims a year. Victims spend an average of 175
painstaking hours to undo the damage.
There are things you can do to protect yourself especially
regarding your computer. First and foremost, don't store your
personal information on your computer. Someone harvesting that
kind of information can literally go through thousands of
computers in the hour you spend watching your favorite
television program. Virus' can infect your system and relay that
information in alot less time. Make sure your firewalls and
anit-virus software is up to date. If you don't have them - get
them. You don't have to be the most tech savy person to do it
either. For the average user, you can find security information,
news and products presented in plain language at
quantum-links.com http://www.quantum-links.com to keep yourself
and your computer running current and up to date. Beware people
who come asking for your personal information. This is becoming
commonly known as PHISH. Services you already have do not email
you asking for you to resubmit your information. PayPal had some
of it's customers caught in this net recently and had to issue
an email telling them not to respond. Instead of replying with
your information, email them back asking for a telephone number
by which to contact them directly. It is doubtful that they will
respond with one. If they do, you can check out the number in a
number of ways to make sure it's for real. One way is to use the
reverse listings available on many search engines. My favorite
is http://www.refdesk.com>.
Check your credit report at least once a year. Have a fraud
alert put on your accounts. This is a flag that asks creditors
to contact you before opening any new accounts. This may impede
opening instant accounts. But, the security seems well worth the
inconveinance. You can also order credit watch services from
them that contact you when there is unusual activity. Here are
links to the big three: Equifax Credit Information
Services,Inc. Experian Information
Solutions, Inc.
TransUnion
You can also contact your financial institutions and ask about
their information opt out programs. This takes you off any lists
that they sell or trade. Especially do this with any accounts
that you do online transactions with. Another good way to shield
your privacy is to contact the Direct Marketing Association in
New York to opt out of their member's lists. Use the links to
find out how to opt out of each type:
Email Telemarketing
Regular Mail
This was just a short plain primer on protecting yourself. There
are other options out there as well. If you stop and think, the
time you spend on prevention will most likely be alot less than
any spent on repairing damage. Your brain and your computer
aren't all that different.
The average person only uses about 10% of either. Tweak the 10%
you use.