Posts Tagged ‘Garbage’
This information is easier to obtain that you think, and before you realize it, you are a victim of identity fraud.
There are several common ways identity fraud is carried out. Online identity theft, considered to be the most popular form of identify fraud, is only one. Another method has been nicknamed “dumpster diving,” which involves stealing mail by rummaging through someone’s garbage for identifying documents.
These often include discarded receipts and paid bills, which all have identifying information on them that thieves find useful. One method used to fight identity theft is quite simple and effective: Consumers can reduce the risk of becoming the victims of identity fraud by buying and using a paper shredder. That way, no information of potential importance leaves the house intact.
Have you ever received an email from some stranger overseas claiming that you have inherited millions of dollars but have to send them your account number so they can wire it to you? Have you ever gotten a message from your bank asking for information about you, but you know they already have all that information?
If you can answer yes to either of these questions, you may have been singled out as a potential victim of online identity theft. This identity fraud tactic is known as “phishing.” There is no trick to fighting identity fraud like this, save using common sense. If you aren’t expecting an email from a trusted source or if you don’t know the sender, it is safer to just delete the email.
Of course, the biggest way identity theft gets perpetrated is the most recognizable. Hackers take a more direct approach to fraud. They break into computers and steal the information they need. Again, there’s a good way to fight identity theft of this type: Purchase good virus protection and firewall software to block unwanted intruders from your computer.
A series of three-year surveys that ended in 2006 show that, while there has been a decrease in the number of victims of identity fraud, the cost rose to $56 billion dollars last year. More statistics show that:
The average time a victim takes to fight identity theft is 600 hours. 3/4 of victims who responded to the survey said that the crime involved someone getting their hands on a credit card. The impact of online identity theft and identity fraud is similar to that of violent crimes for the victims.
The problem of identity fraud isn’t just in the United States. In Europe, the British have crunched some numbers, reporting that identity fraud has cost their economy a shocking 1.7 billion pounds.
By: MIKE SELVON
About the Author:
Get all the information you need on identity fraud from Mike Selvon’s identity theft portal, and leave a comment at his identity theft blog.
Tags: Account Numbers, Date Of Birth, Garbage
The number one concern of anyone that deals with online banking should be security. Putting your personal information over the Internet can be risky, there is no denying that. Fraud and identity theft have become huge problems in the modern age. There are any number of hackers and thieves out there in cyberspace just waiting to prey on innocent people.
Fortunately for us, the financial institutions of the world are very aware of this problem and are working aggressively to combat it. There was a time when a bank’s chief security concern was whether they would be robbed or not. I think we’ve all seen the old movies about Bonnie & Clyde, John Dillinger and the like… to say nothing of the daring train robberies of the wild west. Now banks face a new and much deadlier challenge than ever before, and instead of wearing a mask and using a gun, the bad guys are now invisible and use keyboards.
Identity theft has now become so prevalent that thieves are rifling through garbage to attain any information that they can use to steal from their unsuspecting victims. With this said, there are some simple, common sense approaches that will go along way to securing personal bank information.
1. Do not share your passwords with anyone.
2. Keep important documents locked in a safe or safety deposit box.
3. Shred documents that you no longer need.
4. If you bank online, make sure your bank is using a secure, encrypted site (It’s OK to ask what security features they employ).
5. When using an ATM make sure no one can see the codes you enter.
These are a just a few of the things that can be done to keep banking information secure and avoiding possible crimes against you. While many of these seem to be glaringly obvious, all to many times they are taken for granted or just plain ignored. It is at these times when the criminals are at their best. Individuals that grow careless and complacent are exactly what they look for. Don’t be counted as one of the them.
By: Ian Williamson
About the Author:
Tags: Garbage, Personal Bank, Sense Approaches
1) What is your primary method of disposal for personal finance information?
A)For the most part, I tear the information up, and then dispose of it.
B)I tear some of the information and shred some of it before I dispose of it.
C)I use a cross-cut shredder to destroy my documents every time, before disposing of them.
2) What method do you use for disposal of unsolicited, pre-approved credit card direct mailing information?
A)I simply dispose of them in the garbage can.
B) I always destroy them in some fashion - either I tear them up, or I shred them.
C) I always use a cross-cut paper shredder before I dispose of them.
3) What method do you use to discard other personal information like bank statements, pay stubs, credit card bills, cancelled checks or utility bills?
A)I generally tear the information up and then dispose of it
B)Sometimes I tear the information up, and sometimes I shred it.
C)I always use a cross-cut paper shredder before I dispose of any of these materials.
4) When do you check your credit report by any of the major credit bureaus?
A)I’ve never checked my credit report
B)I have checked my credit card before, but its been over a year
C)In the past year, I have checked my credit report
5) Upon receiving financial statements of any kind (credit card bills, checking accounts, utility bills), do you thoroughly review these statements for any errors?
A)I really don’t review my financial statements regularly at all.
B)I review my financial statements whenever I can get to it, but not monthly.
C)I review my financial statements as soon as I receive them, every month.
6) Where do you get you own personal mail?
A)I use an unlocked mailbox that’s right in front of my house.
B)My mailbox is lockable, but I don’t always lock it.
C) I’ve made sure I have a locked or secure mailbox/PO Box for all my mail
7) What method do you use to send outgoing mail?
A)I always leave my mail in my own, unlocked home mailbox
B)I will either leave it in my own, unlocked mailbox with the flag up, or occasionally drop it off at a secured mail drop box.
C)I only drop my mail in a locked mailbox, or US Mail collection box.
Do you ever carry your Social Security card in your purse or wallet?
A)I do carry my Social Security card with me on a regular basis.
B)I don’t always carry my Social Security card, but sometimes I travel with it.
C)I never bring my Social Security card with me. I store it in a safe place.
9) Is your Social Security number included on any personal information you carry with you? (Checks, ID cards, health-insurance or prescription drug cards)
A)I really couldn’t say. I haven’t noticed.
B)My social security number is on several of my ID or insurance cards.
C)No, I don’t have my social security number on anything that can be found on my person.
You can calculate your score using the following key: A=1, B=3, C=5. A score of less than 20 means that you might be at real risk for identity theft. A score of 20-37 means that you have begun taking the right steps but you can still improve. A score of 38-45 means that you are doing the right things to protect your identity. However, you still need to be careful because it only takes one piece of information to end up the wrong hands to result in your identity being stolen.
By: Jeff McRitchie
About the Author:
Jeff McRitchie is the director of marketing for MyBinding.com. He writes extensively on topics related to Paper Shredders, Binding Supplies,Binding Machines, Binders, Index Tabs, Laminators, Laminating Pouches and more.
Tags: Checks, Credit Card Bills, Garbage
This crime occurs when a thief gets information about your credit card numbers, name, address, social security number, and other personal information that should be kept confidential.
After they obtain your personal information, they will usually make purchases, open bank accounts, apply for loans, apply for new credit cards, get government benefits, and forge checks in your name.
If you’re a victim, there are ways to solve this problem;
You can report the crime to concerned authorities and you can apply for identity theft insurance.
Many companies are offering insurance for people to protect their personal information. You can apply for this insurance as an option for homeowner’s insurance policy. However, having identity theft insurance does not prevent identity theft; it will only help you recover if in any case you have been a victim of this crime.
People who become victims of identity theft or identity fraud usually do not figure out how their personal information was acquired by the thief. So, it is wise that you should be careful about your personal information.
The best way to prevent this crime is to be careful with your personal information. You first have to know how criminals obtain your personal information.
Thieves obtain personal information in many simple ways. Here are some examples:
• By stealing your wallet containing credit cards, and other personal information.
• By going through your garbage for items containing personal information.
• By providing personal information online through email or registration based websites.
• By pretending to be a new creditor to obtain your credit report.
• By eavesdropping on your phone calls or looking over your shoulder as you use your personal information.
• By promising prizes or awards by contacting you by email that would require you to provide personal and financial information.
Here are some transactions that also create risk:
• Online banking
• Online purchases
• Storing personal information in your computer
• Using your social security information for identification purposes.
However, this does not necessarily mean that you should avoid these transactions. It means that you should be careful when giving away your personal and financial information.
Being conscious on how you use your personal and financial information can prevent completion of identity theft.
Here are some tips for safeguarding your personal and financial information:
• Memorize your social security number
• Memorize your PIN numbers
• Don’t use easy to guess passwords, like your birthday or your mother’s maiden name
• Secure your computer by using firewall software and always update your computer security to safeguard your computer from spywares.
• Confirm if the website URL that is requesting your personal information is authentic or legitimate.
• Beware of emails, especially with attachments, belonging to someone you don’t know. Emails like these contain viruses or spywares that can easily be installed in your computer and can send your personal information stored in your computer to thieves.
• Websites that ask for personal information should be secure. A secured website usually has URL that starts with “https://” with the “s” meaning secured.
• Beware of telephone inquiries asking you to give your personal information, unless you contacted them.
• If you have lost your credit card, report it immediately to concerned authorities. It could have been stolen by identity thieves.
• Get your mails as soon as it is delivered.
• Do not discard bank, credit card or any other transaction receipts in public areas. Someone might obtain these information by dumpster diving.
These are some of the ways to safeguard your personal information. It is important that you should be aware of what you do to items containing your personal and financial information. Practicing these methods will surely minimize the risk of becoming a victim of identity theft.
Perforate or shred important documents containing personal information such as old credit cards, used checks and identity cards. You’ll never know when they would fall into wrong hands.
If you suspect that something is wrong, report it immediately to the authorities. Be sure that you have proof that you have reported such incident by keeping it in black and white. (Hard Copy)
For more information on Identity Theft Click Here
By: Lucas Heijn
About the Author:
Lucas Heijn opperates LinksParadise a hosting company. He has set up the hosting for internet marketers.
He is also interested in keeping up with the pifalls that can be associated with an on-line business