Think Twice About Identity Theft

If you think identity theft happens only to other people, think twice.

I woke up to that the reality that anyone could be a victim of identity theft when my son called and told me he was notified of suspicious activity on his credit card. He lives in California and the charges occurred in Washington, a state he had never visited before.

Identity theft happens when someone uses your personal information without your permission to commit a fraud crime. An identity thief needs only a small amount of personal information to make the crime happen. Often your first hint that your identity was stolen is when you start to get calls about overdue bills. When the calls stop that does not mean your identity has been restored. The thief may just be changing the address to where the bills are sent when he uses your credit card.

Identity theft refers to the theft of name badges, driver's licenses, social security numbers and other financial information.

If your social security number is stolen, you can place a "initial fraud alert" by calling one of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies:

Equifax: 1-800-525-6285; www.equifax.com; P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742); www.experian.com; P.O. Box 2002, Allen, TX 75013

TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289; www.transunion.com; Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790

If the theft involves your driver's license or other government ID, call the agency immediately to cancel the document and get a new one issued.

To help thwart identity theft use internet passwords with random letters and numbers. Using your mother's maiden name or even a pet's name is insecure.If you discover that you are an identity theft victim, call your credit card companies and cancel your credit cards immediately. Call your bank and discuss whether you should close any accounts there as well.

You can also monitor your personal credit report to spot incorrect information. Remember that fraudulent activity may not show up right away so it is good to monitor often. Here is one website where you can obtain a free credit report: https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp

Keep an eye out for missing bills and be suspicious if you receive a credit card you did not apply for. Another warning sign of identity theft is denial of a new credit card you applied for or more stringent terms on a new card.

Check out the Federal Trade Commission's ID Theft website for valuable information: http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/

Identity theft is definitely on the rise. In 2003 over 198,000 identity fraud complaints were issued. According to the latest government report in December 2005, identity theft complaints rose almost 30% to 255,000 complaints were made. In fact, identity theft complaints represented 37 percent of the 686,683 complaints filed.

Identity theft will probably never go away. Be smart and take precautions now to avoid a horrible experience in the future.

Greg Cryns is the founder of McHenry Online, http://www.mchenryonline.com , a website focused on information about McHenry County, Illinois. He is also the owner of http://www.getshredders.info where you can get information about paper shredders.

Greg Cryns is the founder of McHenry Online, http://www.mchenryonline.com , a website focused on information about McHenry County, Illinois. He is also the owner of http://www.getshredders.info where you can get information about paper shredders.

Tometa Software Releases "TrackSweeper.net" as a Countermeasure to Identity Theft and Computer Privacy Issues.

Spokane custom software development company Tometa Software has released its new software "TrackSweeper.net"; software that cleans a computer's activity log and internet history ensuring personal information stays private.

Spokane, WA April 27, 2006 - Tometa Software is set to release its version of an "internet history washer" with TrackSweeper.net, a software application which will delete temporary internet files and computer activity logs ensuring personal information and computer activity remains private.

"Most computer users don't understand the importance of keeping personal information secure on a home PC or notebook computer. The average PC holds a great deal of information that if not properly removed may cause a harmful invasion of privacy or potentially worse," said Brandon Marchand Tometa Software CEO.

Unlike the popular anti-virus and internet security available, TrackSweeper.net cleans the files on your computer that are automatically created that may contain personal and computer history information.

"TrackSweeper.net quickly eliminates unneeded system files, cashed internet files, and helps keep your computer running smoothly without the strain of unneeded files clogging it up," explains Brandon Marchand. "This eliminates potential vulnerabilities that the average computer user isn't even aware of, ensuring personal information remains secure."

TrackSweeper.net is available for download and is priced at $19.95. Bulk order discounts are available. More information about TrackSweeper.net is available at http://tometasoftware.com/products_tsnet.asp

About Tometa Software:

Tometa software is a rapidly growing, privately held next-generation custom and retail software provider based in Spokane, Washington. A company on the move, they are poised to become the leader in the increasingly sophisticated software industry. Tometa Software is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, an elite business partner having demonstrated the highest level of proficiency of Microsoft technologies.

Identity Theft, Credit Reports, & safely disposing of computers

To say that Identity Theft has reached epidemic proportions in the UK doesn't appear to be any exaggeration on the facts which are commonly bandied about... even by totally responsible organisations.

If, as I read, 80% of Councils have reported problems... and 25% of people have been directly, or indirectly affected... then taking basic steps for your own safety should be an automatic procedure nowadays. With the advent of separate paper collections by many councils, it is easy for those who wish to obtain information to rummage through the bins or boxes, to look for personal details.

A shredder, I would say, is a basic necessity... and you can get a perfectly adequate electric strip-cut model which does up to 5 sheets of paper at a time [with paper container incorporated] for less than ?10 if you shop around. I purchased mine from Morrisons supermarket and have had it for well over two [fingers crossed] trouble free years.

If you don't possess a shredder, then at least tear off all names and addresses from your envelopes and destroy all letters, etcetera, which have your details on. I would burn, or shred and dispose of in two separate rubbish collections, all old credit, debit, or shop cards.

As well as these basic steps you will have, hopefully, found many useful tips and further information on the Identity Theft page at http://www.best-uk-electrical-appliances.com where you perhaps obtained this extra information.

Direct link to our Identity Theft info at Best UK electrical appliances

***

If you have a computer with any personal details on it, I can do no better than refer you to the helpful article below... please read and consider VERY CAREFULLY the all information included. Computers soon become out of date, or become less efficient due to many different problems. Consider what is stored on your computer... there are bound to be passwords for something or other, there are names and addresses, and perhaps personal details - even banking details - which could help a potential identity fraudster obtain access to your financial records, credit cards, or even to steal your identity.

Identity Thieves Find Treasure In Your Trash

- by Jim Edwards

(c) Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved http://www.thenetreporter.com -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Imagine this scenario...

After serving you well for three to five years, your old computer earns a well-deserved retirement.

You transfer all your old files to your new computer, delete them from the hard drive, and pack the old computer off to the trash heap, sell it, or give it away.

Sounds innocent enough until you stop to consider that you may have just given away your social security number, all your passwords, your credit card numbers, bank statements, financial records, and every other bit of sensitive data you ever maintained on that computer.

With computers getting cheaper by the day, many folks now find themselves replacing old machines with newer, faster models.

But understand one thing: just hitting the delete button to get rid of sensitive files basically rates the same as putting a bank statement in your trash can without shredding it - anybody can reach in and pull it out.

In fact, with inexpensive over-the-counter data recovery software (the kind you can buy to recover files you delete accidentally), virtually anybody can fire up your old hard drive and start pulling off data even though you "deleted" it.

This creates a veritable field day for identity thieves who comb through junk yards for old computers and attend computer shows buying up used hard drives by the dozens.

Whether selling it, giving it away, or tossing it on the junk heap, when it's time to replace your computer with a newer model, you basically have three options for permanently wiping out your data.

First Option:

Many computers come with recovery disks that will completely format the hard drive and return it to its original "factory-fresh" state. Using this approach makes a great option when you plan to give away or sell the computer.

Second Option:

Use a software program designed to erase your hard drive, or at least totally destroy your deleted files.

You can find one fr^e at www.active-disk-wiper.com that claims to completely erase your deleted files without affecting Windows or your other programs.

Third Option:

In keeping with the times, the third option requires a disclaimer.

Only attempt this with safety glasses, a flak jacket, and under close professional, adult supervision.

Unplug your computer and let it cool off.

Take off the cover and remove the hard drive.

Bash the hard drive with a hammer until it looks like a pancake!

That should render it completely resistant to any would-be identity thief armed with even the latest data recovery software.

Physical destruction of the hard drive rates about as secure as you can get in protecting your deleted files from prying eyes.

But before you take drastic action on the computer, remember that your "trash" may just represent a dream come true for someone who can't afford a new one.

Try to find a child, a student, or a struggling parent who could really use your old computer and would consider it a real blessing.

Finding the right new home for it could well change someone else's life forever.

--- Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist (http://www.TheNetReporter.com) and is the author of several best-selling ebooks, information products and software programs. Jim also publishes the *World-Famous* www.IGottaTellYou.com Multi-Media Newsletter!

? Guaranteed Response Marketing, LLC P.O. Box 878 Lightfoot, VA 23188 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

This email is never sent without permission.

___________________________________________ ___________________________________________

Just as we used to have remember to be vigilant with our physical property... locking doors and windows, putting anything we value out of sight, cancelling deliveries when on holiday, using security lights... plus many more day to day precautions are automatic necessities. But NOW we ALSO have to consider our intellectual property and even our unique being.

Whatever you have created on your computer is uniquely yours, don't leave it open to abuse or theft any more than you should leave about your credit/debit cards, household bills, or any other important documents which hold your personal details.

Just two more mentions... be extremely careful when answering your home telephone, there are those who can, and will, ask you, deviously, to confirm your name and/or address... and from that they can find out all your private details, and manage to steal your identity.

Sorry, three more... don't ever fall for the lottery win or other scam which requires you to send money or details to get your 'winnings'... finally, if you are selling any big value item [like a car] don't believe that a bankers draft is necessarily safe and don't fall for the scam where you accept a signed payment which is larger than the required amount, and you are expected to give back the overpayment in cash. You will have lost the item you were selling, plus the cash... and the cheque or bankers draft will be worthless.

Take care out there!

Copy and paste the following web address to your browser to check out the full page where some of this information [plus lots more] is available online... http://www.best-uk-electrical-appliances.com/IdentityTheftandCreditReports.html

Prevent identity theft

When your personal data gets in the wrong hands, you can expect the worse. Identity theft is a huge problem that affects thousands of Americans each week. Rather than fighting to reduce the damage, you should think ahead and prevent identity theft before it costs you money, time and energy.

Of course, this means that you have to familiarize yourself with the potential dangers you are exposed to when documents containing personal information are accessed by thieves. The best way to prevent identity theft is to be aware of all your personal ID numbers, such as bank accounts, driver's license numbers, SSN, credit card numbers and so on.

Do not share or lose important documents There are many ways in which a thief can get access to your personal information. Once they have access to it they will pretend to be your legal representatives and will operate all sorts of transactions using your identity. You can however prevent identity theft by always being aware of the whereabouts of your personal information. Make sure to store all important documents in a safe and hidden spot in your home and keep on eye on them while at work. Do not share sensitive information with people that claim to be representatives from a bank or any other institution - check them out first and see if they really are who they claim to be. Being a little suspicious with anyone demanding personal information is one of your best defenses against identity theft.

Proper document disposal prevents identity theft Beware of "dumpster divers" - a name used for thieves that retrieve personal information from the garbage you throw out of your home or workplace. Try to prevent identity theft by making sure documents, envelopes, faxes and printed e-mails are disposed of properly - by using a paper shredder - nut just crumpled up and thrown in the waste basket. There are various effective paper shredder models available on the market and they will increase the security of your discarded documents. In fact, shredders are an accessory required by the new 2005 FACTA law for any business that has one or more employees.

Online identity theft techniques Spoofing tricks the user into giving the perpetrator personal information, such as credit card numbers, the social security number, diver's ID and so on. Internet identity theft is even more dangerous than regular ID theft, where the thief steals personal documents or recovers personal information from the garbage. With a stolen wallet, you are at least aware that you might become a victim of identity theft. On the other hand, the Internet identity theft schemes will leave you clueless and it might take months before you discover the theft. E-mail spoofing uses addresses and headers that make the e-mail seem like it was sent by a trusted source. IP spoofing allows thieves to get unauthorized access to a PC while link alteration redirects users to the hacker's site. Here are a few tips, recommended by the FBI, that will allow you to decrease the chances of falling a victim to Internet identity theft.

Tips on avoiding ID theft Access websites cautiously - especially if you follow a link from an e-mail. Internet identity theft is often triggered by unsolicited mail - never give out any personal information to such e-mails. Some spoofing techniques warn you that your account (e-mail, Pay Pal and any other type of account) is in danger of being terminated if you do not provide your password or other information - be aware of such schemes. Online payment is quick and easy, but always go with a trusted intermediary and payment processor. Your ISP should learn about any form of internet identity theft, which will enable them to prevent future problems. Secure sites begin with a "https" in the URL address bar. There should also be a lock symbol (icon) in the bottom part of your browser.

For a complete treadmill info portal, please visit http://www.identity-theft-facts.com

For a complete treadmill info portal, please visit {a rel="nofollow" href=" http://www.identity-theft-facts.com"} Identity theft facts

Other resources you might find interesting: Exercise Heaven Search Engine Optimization Heaven

Identity Theft - Are you Vulnerable?

Identity theft is a common occurrence in our society. For most people, identity theft is something that happens to another person that is careless. However, identity theft can strike anyone, including people that take precautions. Although you can never guarantee that identity theft will not strike you, here are some the ways to reduce the risk that your identity will be stolen.

Identity theft is defined as when a person steals your real world identity in order to commit fraud. Identity theft affects millions of people each year and can cause financial damages and big headaches to people that have had their identity stolen.

Identity can occur in several ways, through hackers stealing personal information from large companies such as credit card companies or data wholesalers, by a computer user unknowingly divulging personal information to criminals and by merchants having access to your account details and personal information.

Many people are completely vulnerable when a bank or data wholesaler loses your information. There is nothing usually a private citizen can do since they do not control how the information is kept and transferred. Millions of people at once can be exposed to identity theft through these types of compromises. The best way to protect yourself is to check your credit report at least once a year to determine if any other entity tried to take out a loan or credit card without your authorization.

If you are notified by a company that your identity may have been compromised or see suspicious activity on your credit report, contact all three credit reporting agencies to make them aware that an identity theft has occurred. They will usually lock down your report and will not let credit cards and other financial institutions allow new credit or loans without checking with you first.

If you are surfing online, be careful who you give your personal information too. Many times emails are sent to you that look legitimate asking for personal or financial information. Never click on any links in your email. Always close your email, open up a new browser window and contact the company directly. These types of emails are called spoofing and they phish or look for unsuspecting people to give them their personal and financial information which is then used to commit fraud.

Another way your identity can be stolen is by merchants that process your transactions. There are some cases where a restaurant or gas station steals personal and credit card information from its customers. Although very difficult to stop, make sure that you give your credit card to businesses that are very transparent and have a low risk of fraud. So if you would like to reduce the risk of identity theft, take note of the above suggestions.

The Spywaredude keeps you informed with up to date information on Spyware, Adware, Malware and Viruses that can affect your computers operation. Vist the Spywaredude to read the latest news.

Tips to Avoid Identity Theft

What is rampant, spreading like wildfire and can kill life as you know it? No, not a deadly virus (but close). Answer: Identity theft. My stepson, Aaron, was a victim of identity theft recently. Someone stole his bank cards, deposited fake checks into his account, then withdrew cash. The deposited fraudulent checks and overdraft charges hurt his credit, and he's slowly recovering and rebuilding his score.

Tips to avoid identity theft: 1. Buy a shredder. Aggressively protect your social security, credit card or bank numbers. 2. Use a lock-in mailbox. This isn't 100% safe, but it's much safer than one without a lock. 3. Protect your out-going mail. Get it into the box or the hands of a postal clerk. Heavily trafficked offices often have out-going mail in the entryway. While this may save time, it's not safe. 4. Keep receipts and compare to your statements when they come once a month. Banks make mistakes all the time. 5. Keep financial documents under lock and key (at the bank or in a home safe). 6. Don't give out your social security card--ever. 7. Know what's in your wallet. Do you know how many credit cards are in your wallet? 8. Don't discuss detailed financial information on a cordless or cell phone. That information can be intercepted. 9. Monitor your credit reports. You can sign up for a monitoring service or do it yourself periodically. Your credit is one of your assets, so protect it.

If someone steals your credit card information, get help from these reputable resources-- Federal Trade Commission www.consumer.gov/idtheft or 877-382-4357 Identity Theft Resource Center at www.idtheftcenter.org 858-693-7935 Privacy Rights Clearinghouse www.privacyrights.org or 619-298-3396

Don't Be an Identity Theft Victim: Tips for Creating Good Passwords

According to recent studies, up to 7 million people per year (yes, that is "million") are victims of identity theft in the United States alone. That is more than 19,000 per day and nearly 800 per hour. Wow! While some feel that these figures may be greatly inflated, they still are sobering. Regardless of the actual number per year, we still need to protect ourselves from this problem. Many, though not all, of the yearly victims become so because they are not as careful with their sensitive data as they should be. Carelessness is all a thief needs to make a victim.

CCT offers this article "Tips for Creating Good Passwords." This will be the first article in the CCT Tip Series entitled "Protect your Data Online and in the Office". Please give us your feedback. Feel free to leave comments and suggestions.

The chain of protection is only as strong as its weakest link. Many times, the weakest link is a poor password. One of our clients recently told me that at one time, every computer in their office had a password of "password". Obviously, that offered as much protection as a screen door on a submarine. A password is the first step to safeguarding yourself and protecting your sensitive data.

Password No-Nos

Here are a few things to avoid when making your password:


1. DO NOT include words that can be found in the dictionary in any language. Believe it or not, there are dictionaries for password cracking. They are filled with, not only words and names, but also number and letter combinations, such as 11111 and abc123. If your password is super simple, like "champ" or "bigtime", it can easily be guessed.

2. DO NOT use only letters or only numbers.

3. DO NOT use names of spouses, children, girlfriends, boyfriends or pets.

4. DO NOT use phone numbers, birthdates or, even worse, your Social Security number.

5. DO NOT use the same word as your log-in, or any variation of it.

6. DO NOT give out your password to friends or family members (especially children) who could pass them on to other less trustworthy individuals.

7. DO NOT store written passwords in your desk, under your keyboard or, worst of all, on a bright, yellow sticky note on your monitor. Sure, this is nice to have in case you forget your password. However, it also can provide easy access to your computer for thieves.

8. DO NOT provide your password over e-mail even if a trusted company or individual requests it. Internet "phishing" scams might use fraudulent e-mail to entice you into revealing your user names and passwords so criminals can access your accounts, steal your identity, and more. E-mail security will be discussed in a future article.

9. DO NOT use the same password for multiple accounts. If someone gets one password, they could gain access to many of your accounts.

10. DO NOT enable the Save Password Option. You may see a dialog box which asks you if you want the computer to remember the password you just entered. In this case, your best bet is to choose NO. If you select YES, anyone who uses your computer could also use your pre-saved passwords on these accounts.

Ok. Now we know a little about what we should avoid. Let's learn a little about what is involved in making a good password:

Proven Methods of Great Password Creation

Follow these tips and you will be well on your way to creating a safe, secure password:

1. DO make your password at least 8 characters long. This would apply to your PC on your desk and any Online account that you have that requires a password. A password of this length and containing a mix of upper and lowercase letters (more on this in the next step)will take about 2 years to crack.

2. DO choose a phrase or combination of words to make the password easier to remember. For example, take a phrase that you can remember. Let's use "Where Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone." Now, take the first letter of each word in that phrase and you come up with: WOWHMLDG. Now, mix in some lowercase letters and you get: wOWhmLdG. For even more security, add some punctuation to the mix: wOW^hm%LdG. That is a very strong password and yet it is fairly easy for the owner to remember.

3. DO change passwords regularly. Ideally, every few months you should create new, strong passwords for all of your accounts. This can help keep hackers off balance if they're monitoring a Web site that you visit frequently.

Changing your password for your Online accounts


Web sites have a variety of policies that govern how you can access your account and change your password. Look for a link (such as "your account") somewhere on the site's home page that goes to a special area of the site that allows password and account management.

Changing the password for your office computer


You can usually find information about how to create, modify, and access password-protected user accounts, as well as how to require password protection upon startup of your computer in the Help files of your operating system, or online at the operating system software manufacturer's Web site. For example, if you use Microsoft Windows XP, online help can show you how to manage passwords, change passwords, and more. Mac users can go here for more information.

I am sure that some of you may think that the suggestions mentioned in this article might be a little extreme. However, stop and consider this: In the time it took you to read this article, 53 people in the United States became victims of identity theft. Many of them because they were careless with their sensitive data. A secure password is the first step in making yourself safe online and in the office.

Next in our series, we will discuss "How to be Safe While Using Email." Be on the lookout for that article.

Crystal Coast Technologies is a web design team headquartered in Swansboro North Carolina. We specialize in Flash web design and database driven e-commerce. Our blog contains more tips and the latest tech news, including security alerts.

Protect Your Self Now from Identity Theft

Protect Your Self Now from Identity Theft

Protecting your self now from identity theft is the best thing you will ever do in your lifetime. Companies are now working to fight identity theft by adding new software programs that supposedly adds additional protect, however when you give out your information over the World Wide Web you are always at risk. Thus, in this article we will inform you of the steps you will need to take to protect your self from identity theft.

Steps Never give your personal information out on the World Wide Net, unless you know the company is trustworthy and has encryptions to secure the site. Still, you may want to consider ordering products or paying bills by use of Money Orders, rather than checks. Recently, I learned from a friend living in England that UK postal workers were caught selling personal information to immigrants so that these people can remain living in the UK. Thus, I have not received a steady collection of information as of yet, still, it is something to consider, since thieves come in all forms. The Criminal Justice Departments try to blame the crimes on the poor, however, most crimes committed are acted out by less suspicious people, such as lawyers, doctors, postal workers, et cetera. Continuing the steps you should NEVER respond to Phishing or Spam Mails, since the mails often have potential thieves sending them. Phishing Mails slightly differ from Spam mail, in that the sender will send out an email claiming that your accounts are frozen or pending stop. Some of the mails have links, which direct the receiver to a site that appears to be a legitimate account site. Thus, banks, creditors and lenders already have your information, thus giving information to these mails will only land you in a whirl of problems in most instance. Spam mails or other types of Phishing Mails may propose winnings. NEVER open or give personal information to anyone via email. It is important to change your PIN numbers and Passwords randomly. Changing the codes will confuse the server, thus it will help prevent identity theft. Few people claim that changing your Password and Pin Numbers every six months will help; however, I recommend random changing of the codes for additional protection.

As a victim of identity theft, I learned the hard way of how to protect, prevent further activities and so forth. Restoring trust after your identity is stolen is next to impossible. Still, I do not set my self up by allowing my lack of trust to control my life.

If you are ordering online make sure you know the companies worth. Conducting a background check of any company online is easy and only takes a few minutes. To conduct a background check, visit the Better Business Bureau Site by typing in the search engine BBB.

When making purchases with credit/debit cards, checks or other types of cards make sure no one is watching you when you type in your PIN numbers or Passwords. If someone is standing over you when you are making a purchase, I recommend changing your Pin number and/or Password right away. I become suspicious when at a store using my debit cards to make purchases. Often the customer standing behind me is watching and it annoys me, and sometimes the clerk watches the transaction. I immediately alert them, letting them know that this is a personal transaction and no one has the right to watch me type in my PIN number. Thus, I change my passwords and PIN numbers randomly to prevent identity theft.

It is important to conceal your personal information at all times. If you carry a wallet and/or purse make, sure you know where your valuables are at all time. Personally, recalling numbers in your mind rather than carrying them in your material possessions is safer. In other words, remember your Social Security Number at least and store the card in a safe place. You should never give your Social Security Number over the phone lines, however when contacting the Social Security Administration you will have no choice.

Finally, taking all the steps to prevent identity theft includes learning all the details as possible about the crime.

Tony Robinson is an International Author, Webmaster and Security Guru. Check out his Identity Theft Protection Tips at http://www.officialidentitytheft.com/

Internet Mail Identity Theft

Internet mail is one of the main sources that perpetrators of identity theft utilize to gain access to personal information. The perpetrator may send threatening mails, or mails that seem appealing. Spam or Phishing emails are linked to identity thieves and arrive in millions of mailboxes worldwide. Not one of us is singled out to become the next victim. Rather, identity thieves focus on getting identities to gain, instead of worrying about whom they are stealing the identity from.

Few thieves will target a specific company or person, especially if they are aware of the worth of the accounts. Thus, these thieves are acting on greed and intend to get rich by stealing someone else's identity. The dispatcher of such mails are challenging the receiver by deception hoping the receiver will give out personal information, such as banking routing numbers, bank numbers, PIN and passwords, Social Security Numbers and other precious information that the thief can utilize to gain control over your identity.

Added emails that you may want to bear in mind are Spam mails that often assert that you have won x amount of cash, please act now to receive your prize. Logic should tell you that if you have not joined a contest or gave your information over the phone lines or internet, then chances are you have not won a prize. Recently, I received various mails claiming that I have won $32,000 and is requested to pay the tax on the winning, and to please respond now to receive your prize. DELETE. Other mails followed claiming that I could receive scholars or grants to attend such and such college, to earn my degree act now by providing my personal information. NOT!

After my identity has been stolen, unless your name is GOD you are not getting any personal information from me. My bank already has my personal information, thus there is no reason for them to email me asking for my personal information. Banks clearly state in the Terms & Conditions that they will "Never" send electronic mail requesting information from the recipient at any time, thus giving your information to an electronic email with your bank name listed in the header is only asking for trouble.

Identity thieves think of everything when it comes to stealing identities, including sending emails in respected names. FDIC was targeted by thieves, thus the sender sent mails to recipients of the bank requesting that they provide personal information now to avoid closure of their accounts. Microsoft was also targeted by thieves when mails were sent to various boxes requesting the receiver to download patches to protect their computers. Once the receiver downloaded, the attachment a dangerous Virus quickly took control of their computer, leaving the computer bleeding and leaking with empty spaces that would direct anyone to the information stored on the computer.

EBay is a target for thieves. Few thieves purchase items on EBay claiming to send the owner a check that amounts to more than the purchase price and that the owner should send the remaining amount back to the purchaser by electronic form, or else through "Western Union." The checks were found to be copycats and were attempts to steal. Thus, the Internet is not a safe environment; therefore, I will provide helpful tips to help you prevent identity theft.

Steps to protecting your identity:

Never open emails that you do not trust.

Never give out personal information abroad the internet, unless you know the company is trusted and has encryptions to secure the site. Still, you may want to reconsider and order directly via postal mail from the company.

Do a background check on any site you are thinking of giving your information to.

If possible, send Money Orders to pay bills or else pay for products online and offline.

Never give our personal information over the phone lines.

Do not post personal information on forums, bulletin boards or discussion boards online.

Conceal your personal information at all times, including at home.

When using ATM or other machines to make deposits, withdrawals or purchases make sure no one sees, you type in your PIN number.

Change your Pin numbers and passwords randomly.

Tony Robinson is an International Author, Webmaster and Security Guru. Check out his Identity Theft Protection Tips at http://www.officialidentitytheft.com/

Internet Mail Identity Theft

Internet mail is one of the main sources that perpetrators of identity theft utilize to gain access to personal information. The perpetrator may send threatening mails, or mails that seem appealing. Spam or Phishing emails are linked to identity thieves and arrive in millions of mailboxes worldwide. Not one of us is singled out to become the next victim. Rather, identity thieves focus on getting identities to gain, instead of worrying about whom they are stealing the identity from.

Few thieves will target a specific company or person, especially if they are aware of the worth of the accounts. Thus, these thieves are acting on greed and intend to get rich by stealing someone else's identity. The dispatcher of such mails are challenging the receiver by deception hoping the receiver will give out personal information, such as banking routing numbers, bank numbers, PIN and passwords, Social Security Numbers and other precious information that the thief can utilize to gain control over your identity.

Added emails that you may want to bear in mind are Spam mails that often assert that you have won x amount of cash, please act now to receive your prize. Logic should tell you that if you have not joined a contest or gave your information over the phone lines or internet, then chances are you have not won a prize. Recently, I received various mails claiming that I have won $32,000 and is requested to pay the tax on the winning, and to please respond now to receive your prize. DELETE. Other mails followed claiming that I could receive scholars or grants to attend such and such college, to earn my degree act now by providing my personal information. NOT!

After my identity has been stolen, unless your name is GOD you are not getting any personal information from me. My bank already has my personal information, thus there is no reason for them to email me asking for my personal information. Banks clearly state in the Terms & Conditions that they will "Never" send electronic mail requesting information from the recipient at any time, thus giving your information to an electronic email with your bank name listed in the header is only asking for trouble.

Identity thieves think of everything when it comes to stealing identities, including sending emails in respected names. FDIC was targeted by thieves, thus the sender sent mails to recipients of the bank requesting that they provide personal information now to avoid closure of their accounts. Microsoft was also targeted by thieves when mails were sent to various boxes requesting the receiver to download patches to protect their computers. Once the receiver downloaded, the attachment a dangerous Virus quickly took control of their computer, leaving the computer bleeding and leaking with empty spaces that would direct anyone to the information stored on the computer.

EBay is a target for thieves. Few thieves purchase items on EBay claiming to send the owner a check that amounts to more than the purchase price and that the owner should send the remaining amount back to the purchaser by electronic form, or else through "Western Union." The checks were found to be copycats and were attempts to steal. Thus, the Internet is not a safe environment; therefore, I will provide helpful tips to help you prevent identity theft.

Steps to protecting your identity:

Never open emails that you do not trust.

Never give out personal information abroad the internet, unless you know the company is trusted and has encryptions to secure the site. Still, you may want to reconsider and order directly via postal mail from the company.

Do a background check on any site you are thinking of giving your information to.

If possible, send Money Orders to pay bills or else pay for products online and offline.

Never give our personal information over the phone lines.

Do not post personal information on forums, bulletin boards or discussion boards online.

Conceal your personal information at all times, including at home.

When using ATM or other machines to make deposits, withdrawals or purchases make sure no one sees, you type in your PIN number.

Change your Pin numbers and passwords randomly.

Tony Robinson is an International Author, Webmaster and Security Guru. Check out his Identity Theft Protection Tips at http://www.officialidentitytheft.com/

Identity Theft - Your Prevention Guide

Identity theft occurs when someone illegally obtains your personal information (social security number, credit card numbers or some other personal information) and uses that information to apply for loans or credit cards under your name or to make unauthorized purchases or gain access to your financial accounts. It is extremely prevalent these days, but there are steps you can take which will reduce the chances of you becoming a victim of identity theft.

1. NEVER give out personal information (date of birth, social security number, credit card numbers) over the phone, by email or on the internet unless you initiated the contact and know whom you're dealing with. If your social security number is requested, ask if another form of ID could be substituted in its place.

2. ALWAYS shred papers that have your personal information on them before throwing them away. Papers that should be shredded include credit card receipts, checks, bank statements, credit card statements, expired credit cards and pre-approved credit card offers. Cross-cut shredders are great for this purpose.

3. Keep accurate and current records of all your credit cards and who you should contact in case they are lost or stolen. You may want to take copies of your credit cards and write the customer service number on the copy. If you are not currently using some of your credit cards, you should keep them securely locked away. Other things to keep in a secure location include: unused checks, your social security card, bank statements and credit card statements.

4. ALWAYS make sure you get your copy of a credit card receipt when making a purchase. Check to make sure your credit card was returned to you as well.

5. Check your credit reports annually. There are three credit reporting agencies; Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Every year, you are allowed one free credit report from each of these credit reporting agencies. Go to www.annualcreditreport.com to order your free credit reports, ordering one from a different agency every 4 months.

6. ALWAYS make sure there are no "shoulder surfers" around when you are keying in your PIN number at an ATM or store. Be careful that no one overhears you when giving out your credit card number or personal information over the phone.

7. When purchasing on the internet, always make sure the site you're using is secure. You know you're on a secure site if the web address changes from http:// to https:// when you click on "buy" or "add to cart." You will also note a lock or key symbol in the lower corner of the web page.

8. On your own computer, use a firewall and virus protection. Use passwords that include letters, numbers and symbols to make them more difficult to break. Never use PIN numbers that are obvious, such as your birth date, street number, phone number, the last four digits of your social security number or any consecutive numbers. Memorize your PIN number-do not write it down. If your mother's maiden name is requested for security purposes, use a password instead-one you will remember.

9. NEVER respond to emailed requests from banks or creditors to update your information. You should always call the institution directly or go to their website (do NOT use the website the email directs you to) to update your information. Rarely do banks or other institutions request such information by email, and it is a simple task for someone to create a website that looks just like your bank's or creditor's.

10. If you receive lots of pre-approved credit card offers in the mail, call (888) 5OPT OUT to have your name removed from the marketing lists sold by the major credit bureaus.

11. Drop off outgoing mail at your post office or collection box rather than leaving it in your mailbox for pick up.

12. Have new checks mailed to your bank and pick them up there.

13. Place passwords on your bank accounts, brokerage accounts and credit card accounts for protection. Once again, use a mix of letters, numbers and symbols.

14. Consider an ID theft insurance policy.

15. Register with Equifax Credit Watch?. Equifax Credit Watch? makes monitoring your report easy by automatically alerting you within 24 hours of key changes in your Equifax Credit Report? - like when someone tries to get credit in your name or there are sudden changes in your credit card balances. - so you can act before serious damage is done. Debbie Pettitt teaches you all about identity theft: what it is, how it occurs and what to do if you are a victim at http://understandingidentitytheft.com. If you need help straightening out your credit report, learn all about it at http://yourcreditscoreranking.com.

WILL THE REAL YOU PLEASE STAND UP? How To Prevent Identity Theft

WILL THE REAL YOU PLEASE STAND UP?
How To Prevent Identity Theft

Every day, nearly 1,400 Americans are victims of identity theft. It can take anywhere from two to four years to straighten out the nightmare, and the average victim will invest approximately 175 hours and over $800 of their own money trying to get their situation resolved. Here are five steps you can take to protect yourself, safeguard your identity, and ensure that your credit remains sound.

1.Guard your Social Security number. If you have the number printed on your checks, cross it off manually and reorder new checks without it. If you have your SSN as your driver?s license number, request a new one with a different number.

2.Check your bank and credit card statements every month for unusual activity. You only have sixty days to report identity theft, or you become liable for the damages yourself.

3.Mail your bills from the Post Office or a public mailbox to deter thieves from stealing your outgoing checks and erasing the ink to use them later.

4.Shred any receipts and documents containing account numbers, policy numbers, or other personal information that could aid a thief in taking your identity. Trash diggers are known to target dumpsters for personal financial information.

5.Opt out of pre-approved credit card offers. You can opt out of receiving these annoying and potentially dangerous offers simply by calling toll-free at 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688). You will be mailed a form asking for your Social Security Number, however, in this case, it?s safe to give it to them so they can remove you from their database.

Don't let someone else live a life of leisure at your expense. Taking these simple steps to protect your identity will pay off for you long term by saving you countless hours of time and aggravation trying to restore your credit and your good name.

Monica Ricci has been an organizing specialist since 1999, and her motivational presentations teach effective organizing and simplifying techniques for home and work. She also offers free email tips and ideas on how to make life simpler and more organized. Her topics include clutter control, paper management, time management, organizing space and procrastination.Contact Monica at 770-569-2642 or Monica@CatalystOrganizing.com.