Identity Theft in the Digital Age
by: LandonMcGehee |
Total views: 4 |
Word Count: 804 |
View PDF | Print View
Share This Article
Many adults know that identity theft is an increasing type of fraud. It's also important for students to know this, however. People between 18 and 29 years old are the fastest growing group of identity theft victims.
People in this age group have grown up in a time when everything is online, and everything about them is open to the public. Students and young adults routinely post personal information in very open public settings. They often post more information than they probably should, and think nothing of it. They may post their full names, address, phone numbers, birth dates, employers, pets, and places they like to visit. This information leaves this age group vulnerable to identity theft. Although college students thing the information is harmless, criminals can collect the information and use it against them.
It isn't just online behavior that leads to problems with credit. As many as one in four credit reports has errors. If you don't review yours regularly, you may be taking someone else's mistake.
If students - and the rest of us - aren't vigilant about protecting their identities and credit reports, they can fall victim to identity theft and have their credit ratings destroyed. This will follow them for years to come. An inaccurate credit report can cause your interest rates and credit card payments to rise. It can take months or even years to fix your report.
Here are ten steps for students and everyone else to help protect their identities and credit reports.
1. Regularly monitor your bank, credit card, and loan statements. You should watch out for withdrawals or charges that you did not make. Contact your creditor or account holder if you are expecting a bill and it never comes. You should also contact your creditor if you see any unexpected spikes in your interest rates when you have been making payments on full and on time for every account. Unexpected spikes can be an indication that there are errors on your credit report.
2. Watch out for people who are lurking nearby when you are using an ATM, credit card, checks, or your computer. Some thieves will stay near you to try to steal your account numbers and PIN. These thieves are skilled at memorizing numbers quickly.
3. Delete any personal information and passwords that you have entered on a shared computer. It's often impossible to tell who is going to be using it next, and it can be hard to know if the computer is infected with spyware. That spyware can collect information with every word or number you type.
4. Make sure that all correspondence you receive from creditors and your banks has the correct name and address. Contact the sender and ask why you received it if it has major name or address variations; you don't necessarily have to worry about minor misspellings. Shred all documents with personal information when you throw them out.
5. Guard your laptop and the information on it. Many of the data breaches during the last six months have happened because laptops were stolen from their owners or caretakers. Always make sure that your laptop has password protection, virus protection, and has a firewall.
6. Just as you monitor your bank and credit card accounts, keep an eye on your credit reports. You should look for any names, addresses, or open accounts that are not yours. Dispute any inaccuracies through certified mail, and put fraud alerts on your reports. You can put credit freezes on your reports, but remember that you will have to pay to freeze it and then unfreeze it in the future.
7. Remember that your profiles and posts are never truly private. Many current and prospective employers will Google your name to find out more about you. Improper behavior could result in you losing your job or not landing your dream job.
8. Keep your Social Security number, passwords, and PINs safe. Never carry them in your wallet.
9. Realize that "phishing" scams exist. Never provide personal information - including your Social Security number, bank account numbers, or credit card information - to someone who gets in touch with you through unexpected telephone calls, e-mails, or social networking websites. These scams often seem authentic and urgent. They aren't! Remember that your bank will not contact you through e-mail if there has been a breach in your credit card information information or account. They will not ask you for personal information through e-mail.
10. Don't make it easy for thieves to crack your passwords. You should pick passwords carefully, and don't publicize information that can make it easy for others to guess your passwords. Pet names, birth dates, hometowns, and interests, for example, are often used for passwords. If you put these bits of information online, others could see them and try to guess your password.
Share This Article
Rating: Not yet rated Next Article - How to avoid viruses and Previous Article - XoftSpy-SE - advanced PC maintenance tool
About the Author
For your information there is lots more on the topic of consumer credit card rating. Visit us for lots of free information at http://www.everlife.com/improvingcreditscore.php.
Comments
No comments posted.Add Comment
Popular Articles about: Security
1: How to Remove Spyware from Window on Command2: 5 Ways To Keep Personal Information Safe From Rip-off Artists
3: How To Defend Against Identity Theft
4: Computer Security - Easy Ways To Secure Your Computer
5: Numerous Companies But Only One Choice
6: Installing A Solar Powered Hot Water Heater
7: Compare Home Security Quickly And Easily
8: Protect Your Business & Properties With A Background Check
9: The truth about Complete Self Defense
10: Only The Foolish Are Untouchable From Credit Card Fraud
11: How to avoid viruses
12: Renovations That You Can Complete On Your Barn Home
13: Locating The Best Flooring Deals On The Internet
14: Home Security Systems Offer Adequate Protection
15: Important Home Security Alarm Computer Software Facts
16: Renovating Ideas For A Ranch Home
17: Beware of Free Spyware Protection!
18: Nothing is Free When It Comes to Protecting Your Identity
19: Why Are Marble Floors So Desirable?
20: Improve Your Flooring Improve Your Life
21: How To Know If You've Been Hit With Identity Theft
22: Unpaired Home Security Systems
23: Seat Belt Myths, Are You A Believer?
24: Unrivalled Home Security Diy Systems
25: Ways To Get Free Advice On Bathroom Renovations
26: Cordless Vacuums For Easy Cleaning
27: Cordless Tools Give Performance And Flexibility
28: Child Daycare - Do You Really Need To Do A Background Check?
29: Protect Your House And Family With Alarm Systems
30: Best Home Security - How Do You Choose?