Thursdays your consumer protection, so far
Open your purse or
wallet and count how many cards are in there or how many online accounts we
have. Part of being aware of how to eliminate identity fraud is to not be
involved in so many memberships linked with personal information with cards and online accounts.
In
today’s technologically advanced culture do we do need to carry around so many
cards? Over half this list can be eliminated. It will also reduce your wallet,
reducing the chance of things falling out.
Types of cards:
*Bank
Cards
*Business
Cards
*Coupon
Cards
*Credit
Cards
*Frequent
customer Card
*Grocery
store Cards
*Gym
membership
Insurance
Cards
*Library
card
Military
ID card
Photo
ID card
*Social
Security Card
*Store
movie rental
*Travel
Club card
*Not
necessary to carry all the time
Time
is of essence to report
Cards
with identifying personal information attached should be reported right away
such as: Credit Cards, Social Security Cards, Insurance Cards, Store Rental
cards, Travel Club Cards. These are cards that can damage your credit quickly.
Frustratingly, we may ask, “ How do we contact them if we don’t have a card to
find the phone number.” It will take time to research and thieves know this.
Between
the time the items got stolen to the time you call the companies, the thieves
could already be using your information. Good news, Credit card companies only make you
liable for a minimum amount.
During
a fraud review, agents usually look at records of location, time and activity
that seem out of character with any previous pattern.
Create a habit
Make a list of
important phone numbers of each company or know where to locate them quickly.
· File or store them in a safe place
o
Not the sock drawer
o
Not under the
mattress
·
Preferably in a
locked fireproof safe box.
· Only carry what you need at the time.
Use your photo ID often
Large
companies with advanced computer networks can look up your account just by your
photo ID information. Or if you’re a
regular, the staff recognizes you. More specific identifiers are on the rise
like fingerprinting or facial recognition software programs.
Online account safety
With
so many hand held devices like Smart phones, the more ways are created
to access online accounts. Be sure to take extra precaution when transmitting
any sensitive information this way. There will always be errors and
possibilities of any computer system getting hacked. Computers record data.
Human mistakes can happen too, such as, sending to a wrong email address in
which the computer recorded, recognized, and recommends by key strokes.
Passwords and User Names
·
Don’t allow a system
to save your password
·
Change your password
every couple of months
·
Combine Capital
letters, numbers, symbols unevenly
·
Don’t use personal
numbers or words: SSN, Birthdate, phone, zip codes
·
Don't use other
passwords for other systems
Clean Phones and computers
·
Clear your cache and
cookies regularly
o
Internet window
o
Tools
o
Internet Options
o
Delete Browsing
history
·
Run a reputable
antivirus software program (Avg: $50-$100)
·
Some Internet
providers offer a free brand version
Don’t click on unrecognizable links
·
Curious, bizarre,
shocking, threatening
·
Too good to be true
·
Doesn’t look like the
official site by name in the website link
·
Short email messages
with unknown link name
·
Things you didn't
sign up for
·
When in doubt,
contact the company directly.
With
so much varying interests growing with easier access, we enjoy life with many
social groups. As our identity spreads across so many people, our links of bits
and pieces of personal information spreads. We can do what we can to try to
minimize the risk, there is nothing that is completely 100% confidential.
