Could Your Identity Be Auctioned Off?
On Jan. 27, foxnews.com readers were shocked by a story the accidental sale of identity-revealing files at a routine auction headed by the U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem.
According to the report, the recipients of a file cabinet sold by the Consulate reported that a number of military and state department workers’ information–including Social Security numbers–were still stowed in one of the drawers.
Luckily for hundreds of U.S. servicepeople stationed in Jerusalem, a woman identified only as Paula reported the incident. But what if identifying information were to be accidentally given into the hands of the wrong person or organization?
Could data saved on paper or in computer files be overlooked during an auction again…and could the next unlucky person be you?
It Can Happen to Anyone…Anywhere
Part of what makes the above story so frightening is the fact that if highly personal files–including one reportedly marked “Secret”–slipped past the government, then the potential risk to the average consumer is even higher.
And quick sales over the internet (through such sites as eBay.com and Craigslist.org) only increase the danger.
Perhaps most worrisome of all, the average individual may not always have control over whether his or her information is mistakenly up for sale. For example, in changing over to a new system, a company might not “wipe” all its old computers properly before reselling them, and something as simple as an old password that’s easily decoded could mean trouble for the former user.
Such a scenario could happen to virtually any individual and any type of employee, from a factory worker to a government official, no matter how careful he or she is with files and data at home.
What Can You Do?
Because many of your files–such as employment, medical, school and military records–are kept on shared databases, the risk of your information leaking out is always there, experts say.
However, it may be possible to stop potential ID theft before the criminal can make off with your data and your reputation.
Sign up with a good credit reporting service. These can deliver information quickly to you, including unexpected activity on your checking, savings and credit card accounts. A good service will also let you know about requests for credit reports in your name and may even be able to notify you of an overly frequent use of your name on internet search engines.
Make a Clean Sweep
Also be sure to maximize your chances of the best protection by going over your home data and files thoroughly, particularly if you’re considering a garage sale, estate sale or computer hardware or software auction.
Something as simple as an old tax bill stashed in the top drawer of your bureau could wind up in the wrong hands during the rush of moving or selling furniture and other items.
And of course, be sure to wipe your hard drive of all materials, no matter how innocent they may seem, before releasing it to anyone, even if it’s an acquaintance. (Ask a professional if you’ve never done this before.)
Knowledge is your best protection against identity theft; reporting tools come in at a close second. Using both, you can maximize protection to your money, your name…and your safety.
