Identity Theft Prevention Articles
Identity theft is no laughing matter. In 2008, almost 10 million Americans were victims of identity theft crimes, which was 22 percent higher than in 2007. What may be even more alarming is the fact that identity theft is usually not the work of a computer genius with expert hacking skills.
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Although financially you might not be on the hook if your identity is stolen, you will be on the hook for hundreds of man hours you’ll need to correct the problems created all over the place.
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You have to keep certain financial records and backup documents stored for a designated amount of time to meet IRS regulations. Unfortunately consumers tend to keep too much on hand instead of under lock and key and that makes them more vulnerable to identity theft or fraud. Looking around a typical household will reveal a wealth of personal information including social security numbers, account numbers, account passwords and so on.
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Preventing identity theft is not just a matter of implementing new government regulation. Laws can be passed between now and the end of the world intending to prevent identity theft, and yet there would still be those creative criminals able to slip between the cracks.
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The internet has long been a communications pathway among singles looking to connect.
Savvy seekers watch out for well-known red flags. For example, an individual who can never be called or contacted any way other than e-mail may warn of another person already in the picture. Someone who asks for pictures but refuses to send any in return is another unspoken warning, and of course, anyone who asks for “help” with such issues as bills can be a bad sign.
But one danger of online dating that most people don't anticipate is the possibility of being an unwitting partner in criminal activity ...
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It goes without saying that identity theft is on the list of many people's financial concerns.
It’s also common knowledge that ID fraud is a crime that started out strong and just seems to be growing from there, with some predictions stating 2009 could be the heaviest ID crime year yet.
The obvious answer would seem to be that authorities should crack down, initiate more investigations and prosecute more ID theft and related crimes.
But could the movement toward government involvement in this across-the-nation crime be impinging on the privacy rights of some people, including those innocent of any wrongdoing?
Consumers Demand Greater Security ...
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There is one simple thing you can do to stop one form of ID theft, and that is to shred every document that has your name on it before discarding it. A good shredder will reduce even thick files to unrecognizable bits, and allow you the peace of mind you need.
Why Should you Shred?
ID Thieves have dumpster dived for years, finding medical records and patient information outside doctors’ offices and lawyers condominiums. Sometimes the people you entrust with your information are careless. Asking for your records to be returned to you so you can oversee their shredding is not ...
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When was the last time you chatted with Brad Pitt about women or asked Charlize Theron for a baked Alaska recipe?
If you answered “yesterday,” you already know a bit about space faking. The term was coined for individuals assuming someone else’s identity over the internet--typically a well-known character.
Many of us do it on forums or networking sites. When we do, it’s obvious to us that we’re just having a bit of fun, and we make sure others know it, too. But not every space faker you meet on the internet is as obvious…or has motives as innocent.
Warning from Australia has ...
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When a sex offender moves into town, neighbors (rightfully) want to know. It would also be helpful to have property deeds and transactions accessible. And wouldn't it be comforting to have nearby convicted thieves' or defrauders' information available at a button click?
The truth is that each of these can be a matter of public record in virtually all areas of the U.S. Such data is mean to provide security and legitimate information to a given location's citizens.
But some states are now arguing that public knowledge is expanding too far in the details of people's lives, crossing the line from ...
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We know, we know: that stack of bills on your kitchen table can't possibly have a bright side. Right?
Surprise: our experts note that your first rush of credit card statements after the holidays can offer a unique opportunity to catch up with an identity thief in the making.
By giving each transaction from the month or two before Christmas the once-over, you can find suspicious activity before it gets out of hand...and ruins your credit.
Checking Your Receipts
Smart shoppers kept their paper receipts for the 2008 holiday shopping season. If you have some or all of your shopping receipts, organize them now ...
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