Identity Theft Prevention

Identity Theft Prevention
By: Eric Perez
COM215XP40
Professor Janet Evans
Week 6 Blog Assignments
June 10, 2009

“14 million people were victims of identity theft between 2001 and 2003 and as of 2007 there were 9.9 million victims in one year” (Ward, 2009). Identity theft, which it is also known as “I-Jacking,” is a crime in which an imposter obtains key pieces of personal information in order to impersonate another individual (Whatisit, 2009). Identity theft can occur by shoulder surfing, stealing information from mail or other personal belongings, or ever hacking into databases (Ward, 2009). Identity thieves can obtain credit cards in your name, drain your bank account, apply for loans, make large purchases, etc. As we continue to face hard economic times, every person must take precaution with their personal information.
We should follow the following prevention techniques:
1. Only carry the identification information and the number of credit or debit cards that we actually need (Creditsourceonline, 2009);
2. Keep personal information in a secure area of the home (Creditsourceonline,
2009);
3. Guard our Social Security number and do not carry it (Creditsourceonline,
2009);
4. Check your credit report (Creditsourceonline, 2009);
5. Shred all of your documents (Creditsourceonline, 2009);
6. Make copies of the contents of your wallet (Creditsourceonline, 2009);
7. Be cautious on the phone (Ward, 2009). Someone could be listening or be pretending to be someone they are not;
8. Protect and limit access to your computers (Ward, 2009);
9. Be aware of the Internet (Ward, 2009). It is not safe;
10. Look into getting a identity theft prevention plan (Ward, 2009).

All of these techniques will help prevent the possibility of identity theft. I know a lot of people think that it is too time consuming or will it will never happen to them, but if you are not prepared, the time it takes to repair the damage and get your life back will be more time consuming than preventing it. The first way to identify if you have become a victim is if there are debt collectors calling that you don't recognize the bill, receiving credit cards you haven't requested, or receiving other information about things you did not purchase. If you become the victim of identity theft, you should follow these tips:
1. Freeze all three credit reports, which include Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion (Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, 2009);
2. Make a police report;
3. Alert the Federal Trade Commission (Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, 2009);
4. Contact any creditors that the thief opened accounts with by telephone and in writing (Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, 2009);
5. Contact your creditors and financial institution;
6. Open all new accounts and obtain new credit and debit cards (Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, 2009);
7. Contact the Social Security department;
8. Alert the U.S. Department of State, Passport Services if you have a passport (Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, 2009);
9. Seek legal help; and
10. Keep good records and don't give in (Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, 2009).
Most of all, one must be aware, be educated, and always check your information. You may not think it could happen to you, but it can once or twice. You must always keep your information close to you and know everything that is going on. It is difficult to predict how long the effects will linger if you are a victim (Federal Trade Commission, 2009). If you are a victim, you should check your credit reports every three months for the first year and every year there after (Federal Trade Commission, 2009). Everyone should check their credit reports every year to ensure that no one has stolen their identity. As long as you are aware, you can protect yourself from identity theft.

References:

Credit Source Online, (2009). Ways to prevent identity theft. Retrieved June 5, 2009, Web site:
http://www.creditsourceonline.com/ways-to-prevent-identity-theft.html

Federal Trade Commission, (2009). About identity theft. Retrieved June 10, 2009, Web site:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/consumers/about-identity-theft.html

Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, (2009). Fact Sheet. Retrieved June 10, 2009, Web site:
http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs17a.htm

Ward, S. (2009). 10 ways to prevent identity theft. Retrieved June 5, 2009, Web site:
http://sbinfocanada.about.com/od/insurancelegalissues/a/identitytheft_2.htm

Whatisit, (2009). Identity theft definition. Retrieved June 5, 2009, Web site:
http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid14_gci801871,00.html