Your identity is valuable, and Identity Theft is serious. Identity Theft occurs when someone steals your personal information and uses it to commit fraud or other crimes. If this happens to you it can effect your credit, getting a job, medical care, and ruin your good name. It can take years to repair the damage that Identity Theft can cause. The most important thing to remember is, It Can Happen To Anyone. Here are some common ways Identity Theft Happens (Info received from the Federal Trade Commission):
- Dumpster Diving- These criminals look for bills or other papers with your personal information on it.
- Skimming- They steal credit/debit card numbers by using a special storage device when processing you card.
- Phishing- They pretend to be a financial institution or companies and send spam or pop-up messages to get you to reveal your personal information.
- Changing Your Address- They divert your billing statements to another location by completing a "change of address" form.
- "Old Fashioned" Stealing- They steal wallets and purses: mail, including bank and credit card statements; pre-approved credit offers; and new checks and tax information. They steal personal information from their employers, or bribe employees who have access.
Here are some tips the Federal Trade Commission gives to help prevent Identity Theft:
- Shred financial documents and paperwork with personal information before you discard them.
- Protect your social security number. Don't carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write your social security number on a check. Give it out only if absolutely necessary or ask to use another identifier.
- Don't give out personal information on the phone, through the mail or over the Internet unless you know who you are dealing with.
- Never click on links sent in unsolicited emails; instead, type in a web address you know. Use firewalls, antispyware, and anti-virus software to protect your home computer; keep them up-to-date. Visit www.onguardonline.gov for more info.
- Don't use an obvious password like your birthday, your mothers maiden name, or last four digits of your SS#
- Keep your personal information in a secure place at home, especially if you have roommates, employ outside help, or are having work done in your home.
Here in Rochester, NH, Identity Theft is not often brought up, but again, this is very serious and can happen to anyone. Visit www.ftc.gov/idtheft for more information.
Paul Carrier, REALTOR Keller Williams Coastal Realty