We all get emails that are trying to steal our pin numbers and passwords for identity theft. I could give you all the subject lines but it would take forever to type all of the potential identity theft protection headlines. They claim you won the lottery or your account is over drawn or they suspect fraud, etc. etc,. etc
The last thing we need is for our bank or credit cards account to be restricted. That is exactly what these internet thieves are relying on, and unfortunately some people do as instructed .
First don’t follow the instructions in the email. If you think there might be a problem, log in to the account the way you normally do on your PC but not with the link supplied in the bogus email.
I’ve had some very authentic looking email allegedly from banks and credit card companies, that even went as far as copying the colors of the bank logo and letter head style. Don’t fall for that scam. Don’t even open the email as it may put a virus on your computer when you open it. Simply forward the dubious email to the address supplied by your bank, or CC company.
Would you know how to get in touch with your credit card company in an emergency? Develop an emergency kit that contains: your account number, expiration date, issuing company name, and emergency contact number for each card you own. Make copies of your driver’s license, birth certificate, social security card, passport and other important papers and store them in a locked box or a safe deposit box.The safe deposit box is the best because it provides you with protection in case of a catastrophe such as fire, flood, tornado or earthquake, etc.
It may seem like a lot of work, but if you’re ever the victim of identity theft you’ll realize that it’s well worth your time and effort.
Many of us forget if it wasn’t for what we carry in our pockets or purses, we’re all John and Jane Doe if we can’t talk because of an injury. Just how much less stressful is it to know that, no matter where you are, there are items that can verify your identity, in a bank box.
Your mailbox is a veritable goldmine of information. Between bank statements, bills, and all of those credit card offers, your mailbox is full of personal data which identity thieves will use to easily apply for a charge card in your name. Unless you check your credit report, you may never know about it. One way to avoid this is to have your mailbox under lock and key, but most of us have their mailbox at the curb in front of the house and the mail man frowns on carrying tons of keys around. Another solution is to have a rented post office box, or to mess up garbage thieves by purchasing a shredder and destroy documents before throwing them in the garbage.
Figure out another way to pay bills besides checks as that little slip of paper has a significant amount of information. Some advise against check writing because it gives away your address, bank account number, signature and drivers license number to total strangers. Plus there’s no federal law to limit your liability for forged checks. Experts advise that you investigate automating your bill paying.
For internet shopping, there are virtual card numbers that are randomly generated credit card numbers that are disposable and that on line shoppers use once and discard. It’s linked directly to your credit card so purchases appear on your monthly bill.
The service is user friendly and free. All you have to do is register with companies supplying the virtual card, and they’re Discover, Citigroup and MBNA.
There is greater liability with debit cards than you have with credit cards. In regard to fraud, debit cards have much greater personal liability than credit cards have, depending on how quickly you report losing the card. If you fail to report unauthorized use within 60 days of receiving your bank statement you could lose all the money in the account and be held responsible for the amount of money that has been taken from your account.
These are simple and easy thing to do to protect yourself from identity theft. Your identity theft protection is up to you but you do need to do something so do it now. You will be glad you did.