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4:00 AM
Alexis P. Jones, The Credit DIVA
In the course of the day, you do many activities that put your personal information at risk - from writing a check at the store to charging merchandise in person or over the phone. You may not think twice about these transactions, but others might. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and while you are enjoying your Holiday family and wonderful meal; the thieves are busy.
Identity theft continues to be the largest crime across the globe - when a perpetrator assumes someone's identity for personal or financial gain, like stealing a credit card to make financial transactions in the victim's name - is the fastest-growing crime in America.
According to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, there were almost 10 million cases of identity theft in 2004, which cost consumers $5 billion.
This year alone, identity theft has been responsible for over $21 billion is lost revenue.
Here is how to protect yourself and your personal information this Holiday season:
* Do not give out your personal information unless you initiate the contact or know the person or company with whom you are dealing over the phone. Also, never disclose personal information, such as a Social Security number or bank account number, in response to an email. Legitimate businesses will not ask you to do this.
* Do not disclose your credit card number to an online vendor unless it is encrypted and the site is secure. Look at the first part of the Web address on your browser. It should read "https://." The means the vendor you are exchanging business with as an "SSL" certificate in place on the very same website you are shopping from.
* Do not write your Social Security number or telephone number on checks or credit card receipts.
* Remove all documents with personal information from your hard drive before discarding your computer or sending it in for repair or replacing it this Holiday season. Santa may bring you a new one, so be careful how you discard the old one.
* Shred discarded documents, including pre-approved credit card applications, bank statements, store receipts and utility bills. "Dumpster divers" can gain access to your personal information if such items are thrown in the trash.
* Order your credit report at least twice a year and report any mistakes to the credit reporting agency in writing. Special note: It's not a bad idea to review your credit report before you open any new credit cards! :)
If something should happen and you become a victim of identity theft, contact your local police department as soon as possible. If your identity was stolen in one jurisdiction but used in another, you may have to report the crime in both jurisdictions. Also, filling out an Affidavit is likely to be asked in a situation that involves a bank such as your credit union as well.
Remember, shop smart!
Enjoy the Holidays!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Identity theft continues to be the largest crime across the globe - when a perpetrator assumes someone's identity for personal or financial gain, like stealing a credit card to make financial transactions in the victim's name - is the fastest-growing crime in America.
According to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, there were almost 10 million cases of identity theft in 2004, which cost consumers $5 billion.
This year alone, identity theft has been responsible for over $21 billion is lost revenue.
Here is how to protect yourself and your personal information this Holiday season:
* Do not give out your personal information unless you initiate the contact or know the person or company with whom you are dealing over the phone. Also, never disclose personal information, such as a Social Security number or bank account number, in response to an email. Legitimate businesses will not ask you to do this.
* Do not disclose your credit card number to an online vendor unless it is encrypted and the site is secure. Look at the first part of the Web address on your browser. It should read "https://." The means the vendor you are exchanging business with as an "SSL" certificate in place on the very same website you are shopping from.
* Do not write your Social Security number or telephone number on checks or credit card receipts.
* Remove all documents with personal information from your hard drive before discarding your computer or sending it in for repair or replacing it this Holiday season. Santa may bring you a new one, so be careful how you discard the old one.
* Shred discarded documents, including pre-approved credit card applications, bank statements, store receipts and utility bills. "Dumpster divers" can gain access to your personal information if such items are thrown in the trash.
* Order your credit report at least twice a year and report any mistakes to the credit reporting agency in writing. Special note: It's not a bad idea to review your credit report before you open any new credit cards! :)
If something should happen and you become a victim of identity theft, contact your local police department as soon as possible. If your identity was stolen in one jurisdiction but used in another, you may have to report the crime in both jurisdictions. Also, filling out an Affidavit is likely to be asked in a situation that involves a bank such as your credit union as well.
Remember, shop smart!
Enjoy the Holidays!
Happy Thanksgiving!
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