Protection Against Identity Fraud & Identity Theft
Identity theft and identity fraud refer to all types of crimes in which someone wrongfully obtains and uses another person's personal data in some way that involves fraud or deception, usually for economic gain. Unlike fingerprints, which cannot be duplicated, personal data? especially a person��s Social Security number, bank account or credit card number, telephone calling card number etc.? can be used by people who might obtain them using illegal means. In the United States and Canada, for example, many people have reported that unauthorized persons have taken funds out of their bank or financial accounts, or, in the worst cases, taken over their identities altogether, running up vast debts and committing crimes while using the victims�� names.
Few people realize how easy it is nowadays for criminals to obtain one��s personal data. With the increase in usage of internet and with latest technology proving helpful to the criminals, information such as passwords or even banking information can be funneled out in minutes by these criminals. What assists them is the fact that in their eagerness to explore all that the internet has to offer, some people unwittingly respond to ��SPAM�� or unsolicited emails and give their personal information via email to the criminals. In some other cases latest spyware technology is used to extract personal information of a person from his computer even without his knowledge.
After obtaining enough identifying information about an individual, a criminal can take over that individual's identity to conduct a wide range of crimes: for example, false applications for loans and credit cards, fraudulent withdrawals from bank accounts, fraudulent use of telephone calling cards, or obtaining other goods or privileges which the criminal might be denied if he were to use his real name.
Some simple and necessary measures that everyone should take to avoid identity theft are:
a)Keeping personal information secure: Being careful about when, where and to whom personal information is being imparted goes a long way in stopping identity thefts.
b)Keeping documents safe: Locking documents safely in a cabinet which cannot be accessed by other people.
c)Updated Virus Checker: For people who use the internet this is a very high priority precaution. Internet, while being a boon can also pose problems. An updated anti virus software can stop harmful bugs from getting into the computer and stealing one��s personal information.
d)Spyware Checker: Spyware is another means by which criminals can obtain personal data. A good spyware checker can stop these threats.
e)Changing passwords regularly: While creating a password a person should keep in mind that the password should not be easy for someone to guess. Moreover, the passwords should also be regularly changed so that anyone wrongfully obtaining a password will not be able to do much harm.
As the saying goes ��Forewarned is Forearmed��. By following the above precautions one can be safe from identity fraud & thefts to a large extent. Some companies these days offer identity theft protection services to both home & commercial computer users. This could prove beneficial to especially those who deal in a lot of classified information which they would like to keep secure even while working on the internet. After all it never harms to be cautious and taking corrective measures after an identity theft would prove to be much more cumbersome.
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