(MS) - Over the last half century, technology has done much to make life easier. From microwave ovens to iPods, electronic technology has affected nearly every aspect of life, be it cooking dinner or how we listen to music.
Though technology has produced many benefits, it's also left those who rely on it more susceptible to identity theft, a relative non-issue at the beginning of the 20th century that quickly became a genuine concern around the turn of the century. With more and more people paying bills online, which requires entering personal information such as bank account numbers and social security numbers, a large, invisible number of criminals have taken to the Internet. While the concept of having one's identity stolen is frightening, anyone concerned about identity theft can take steps, both in the virtual world of the Internet and in the real world, to protect themselves from falling victim to this increasingly common crime.
· Beware of spam e-mail. While we'd all like to believe we're too Internet savvy to fall victim to e-mail campaigns aimed at stealing our identities, these campaigns are still prevalent, and criminals wouldn't be conducting them if they weren't paying dividends. These e-mails often offer pre-approved credit limits, and appear as an e-mail you might receive from a bona fide company. However, these e-mails are only interested in extracting person information, such as a social security number, from potential victims. It's best to avoid solicitations via e-mail, regardless of how legitimate the solicitation might seem. When applying for credit, do so by contacting the company by telephone, and don't use a number provided through an e-mail.
· Guard your social security number. Very few scenarios require you provide your social security number. Businesses can request but not demand you provide your social security number. Only a government agency or potential creditor (for which you'll have to fill out a credit application) have the right to have a social security number stipulation. And even in those instances, a privacy notice must accompany the request. If no such notice is provided, and it's still implied your social security number is demanded, do not provide it under any circumstance.
It's also important to keep your social security number as well as home telephone number off of any outgoing checks. Once you mail a check, you have no idea who will eventually see that check (and what their intentions might be), particularly if it's a bill sent to a billing center with many employees. By including your social security or telephone number on outgoing checks, you're only increasing the amount of people with access to that sensitive information.
· Buy a paper shredder. Identity thieves are nothing if not resourceful, and many identity theft victims have had personal information stolen from them by so-called "dumpster divers" who think nothing of picking through trash cans looking for anything with personal information on it. The best way to avoid this is to purchase a cross-cut paper shredder to shred all important papers. This includes any pre-approved credit applications you might receive in the mail. Even if you didn't solicit these, your name is still on them, and identity thieves can grab them out of your trash and get cards in your name. With a cross-cut paper shredder, you can easily and effectively destroy these applications, as well as old credit card receipts, bank statements, utility bills, or any other documents that might contain sensitive personal information.
· Cancel cards you don't use. Open credit is one of the prime targets of identity thieves. If you haven't used a card in several months, and the balance is zero, you're more apt to ignore statements in the mail, figuring there's nothing to see on the statements anyway. Identity thieves are well aware of this and target open credit as a result. If you don't use a card anymore, simply cancel it.
· Don't have mail delivered when traveling. If traveling, have mail held at the post office or arrange for a trusted neighbor, friend or relative to come over and pick up your mail each day you're not home. A mailbox filled with letters and bills invites identity thieves to come pick through the mail, as it gives the impression no one is or will be home anytime soon.
Even if you're not traveling but live in an apartment complex with an open mailbox, consider getting a P.O. box and using that as your mailing address instead. Open mailboxes invite thieves, and a P.O. box will eliminate this potential avenue for thieves to steal your identity.
· Be careful when paying bills and buying items online. Online shopping and bill paying have done much to make life easier, as many banks now provide ways to pay all monthly bills at once. While these sites are convenient, be sure they provide significant online protection from hackers. When setting up an online bill paying account with your bank, do so in person, inquiring as to what protection is offered and how successful it's proven in the past. When shopping online, do so only from Web sites offering security. If any personal information must be provided beyond a method of payment, cancel the purchase and shop elsewhere.
For more information on identity theft, visit the United States Department of Justice Web site at http://www.usdoj.gov/.
Keywords: identity theft spam email guard social security number paper shredder
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