When you think about identity theft, you could image a criminal listens with a pen and paper in hand as someone reads a telephone credit card number.
this kind of scenario still occurs, but it is almost old. Indeed, today's thieves can steal your personal information by using more sophisticated techniques. And they are more often than ever. Since 2010, identity theft has happened to affect 10.2 million people per year to 13.1 million people per year
How they do it
today thieves can learn a lot about you by simply visiting your pages in particular social media if your settings are public. A common practice is to reconstruct the bits of information you share on various websites. Just a few scraps they can learn about you include your birth date, your city, the maiden name of your mother, you bank "like" and what Internet provider you complain in your messages. This can ultimately help them decode your passwords and access personal accounts.
"All your data has a value, and it is being aggregated," said Eva Velasquez, President and CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC), a nonprofit that helps
consumer to prevent and resolve identity theft issues.
massive data breach last year to the target underlined how thieves can steal identities through a supplier third parties. It is important to note that public Wi-Fi connections in places such as cafes, hotels and airports are less safe. the moment you open your bank account, check your e-mail or online store you may disclose information to a hacker.
Traditionally, criminals used to steal credit cards and maxed them. Now they craftier. Some use your identity to obtain tax refunds, medical procedures or government services such as unemployment benefits.
"It is lucrative for thieves, and chances to catch them are slim," said Velasquez. Moreover, even if a thief is caught, the penalties for white collar crimes are generally not as stringent as those for violent crimes.
The red flags
Some of the most commonly known that you might be a victim of identity theft include getting signs collections notice or appeal concerning the debt you do not remember incur; find accounts or unfamiliar charges on your credit report; see unexplained withdrawals from your bank account; and having a particularly difficult time applying for a loan or renew a passport or permit
Lesser known red flags that you may be at risk are :.
- You get a medical bill or explanation of benefits for procedures that you have not received.
- A health plan not cover you because your medical records show a condition you do not.
- Your health plan denies a legitimate claim because medical records show that you have reached your limit of benefits.
- The IRS notifies you that more than one tax return was filed on your behalf and / or have an income from an employer that you are not working for.
- you find errors on your Social Security statement.
One word of
The ITRC suggests that you keep Acronym SHRED in mind when it comes to preventing identity theft
- S Strengthen privacy settings and passwords (always use eight characters, upper and lower case, and at least one number or symbol)
H :. Handle your personal identifying information (such as license and passport) carefully
R :. Read your credit reports every year. (Order a free to annualcreditreport.com.)
E :. Empty your purse or wallet so you're not carrying around personal documents such as birth certificates or Social Security cards
D: Discuss these tips with family and friends
Unfortunately there is no foolproof way to prevent identity theft .. and it can happen to everyone. (Just read the real life story of this woman of identity theft.) That is why it is useful to consider the protection of identity theft insurance. An insurance professional as Erie insurance agent can tell you more about this growing need, affordable coverage and.
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