4 Ways In Which You Can Control

Identity Theft
by Gordon Burnham

Identity theft is a growing problem in America because it is a very high profit, low risk crime and Police forces are so overwhelmed dealing with homicides and homeland security issues that they don’t have time to focus on what is essentially white-collar crime. Identity theft occurs due to many reasons, fraud, scam, spyware, carelessness and more.

More than 161,000 consumers filed complaints with the government about identity theft last year, according to the Federal Trade Commission, which maintains a database of cases. That’s nearly double the number in 2001.

Thieves generally try to get hold of basic financial information about their victims from Social Security numbers to credit card and bank account numbers. They either empty the checking and savings accounts, run up massive bills on the victim’s cards or open new credit in the victim’s name. Some go so far as to purchase new cars and homes under the assumed identities, or establish long-distance cell phone service.

Losses can run into thousands of dollars and it can take years for consumers to clean up the mess. Victims have to go back to each credit bureau separately to clean up their files, because each generally has different information and new information may keep popping up.

1. Scan your computer for Spyware

Identity Theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes of this century. In today’s world, PC users have become increasingly vulnerable to privacy invasions through the installation of adware spyware that has been placed on their computer without their knowledge.

All of your data is traveling through the Internet to parties that are waiting to capitalize on your information without your consent and is being sold to companies and people right now! In some cases anything ever done on your computer can be watched. The online world is no longer safe without an anti-Spyware application to protect your PC.

The best way to protect against spyware is to run an application that identifies and removes it. These tools operate much like anti-virus software. Their developers have identified hundreds of spyware files, folders and Registry keys and search for them on your hardware, offering to remove them when they turn up. If you treasure your privacy, these tools are essential. Even if you locate spyware on your own, manually deleting it is difficult and can be very tedious.

There are numerous programs for removing Spyware.  With Spyware Eliminator,  you can download and Scan Your PC for Free!  Spyware Eliminator even notifies you when Spyware has been activated on your PC. 

2. Buy a Cross-cut paper shredder.

Buy a paper shedder, preferably a cross-cut shredder that can also shred credit cards. Shred every thing you throw away that contains any personally identifiable information, especially credit card offers you receive in the mail or any other type of offers that identity you by name. Don’t forget credit card receipts, deposit receipts, letters and catalogs that have your name on them.
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3. Don't let your credit cards out of your sight.

When eating out and paying by credit card, don’t let it out of your site. Go with the waitress to the cash register and watch the card while it’s being scanned. Get the card back into your possession as soon as you can. Always ask for the carbons even if they offer to wad them up and throw them away for you. When entering your PIN for a transaction, be certain that no one can see the number as you enter it.

4. Install a Firewall on your computer.

A Firewall is a program that prevents 'hackers' from getting into your computer and 'spyware' from getting out without your approval.  You can download and install a firewall such as ZoneAlarm. This will help protect you from identity theft that can occur through your Internet connection, it's needed for broadband (cable or DSL) and dial-up connections. It only takes seconds to get your information, so being on a dial-up connection does NOT provide safety. I've heard people say "I'm only on for a few minutes, checking my email'.

A new program to help identity theft victims has been set up by Call For Action Inc., a nonprofit group that partners with radio and television stations to sponsor consumer hot lines. With a grant from credit card company Visa USA, Call For Action has set up a toll free number at 866-ID-Hotline (866-434-6854) to provide phone counseling for identity theft victims. Prevention tips can be found on its web site at www.callforaction.org.

The toll-free numbers and Web address for contacting the credit bureaus are:

Equifax (888) 766-0008 www.equifax.com

Experian (888) 397-3742 www.experian.com

TransUnion (800) 680-7289 www.transunion.com

Besides contacting the credit agencies, consumers also should contact the Federal Trade Commission’s ID Theft Clearinghouse, either by phone at (877) ID-THEFT (877 438-4338) or on the web at www.consumer.gov/idtheft. Consumers can report identity theft as well as get help in dealing with it, including online affidavit forms.

Gordon Burnham, Windows developer/programmer
Gordon has been working with computers for nearly 25 years. He is a board member of a 350 member computer club that meets 3 times a week. He assists other members of the club in answering the multitude of questions that club members have. Questions about Cookies, Spam, Spyware, Identity Theft, problems with Windows and how to fix them are frequent. Gordon, after considerable research, set up a website to provide information and help with these questions and problems. I recommend you take a look at this tremendous resource:

http://www.yourinfosrc.com