Holiday Alert: Be on guard for identity theft

Holiday Alert: Be on guard for identity theft -

12 million Americans were victims of identity theft last year - to keep your season joyous holiday, make sure you do not become one. statistics this year

The Insurance Information Institute offers some helpful tips to stay safe:

1.Proceed with caution when buying online. Make sure you buy products or services of a family business with a reputable secure network. And never buy anything online from a site that does not have SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encryption installed-at the very least. (You will know if the site has SSL because the site URL begins with https: // rather than just http: //).

2.Monitor your accounts. Do not rely on your credit card company or bank to alert you to suspicious activity. Monitor your bank statements and credit card to ensure that all transactions are accurate. If you suspect a problem, contact your credit card company or bank immediately.

3.Be careful with personal information. Whether by phone, mail or Internet, not to disclose sensitive information or your social security number unless you initiated the contact, are familiar with the person or company and are confident that they have a secure line.

Some additional safety tips online shopping

• Make sure your Web security programs, and anti virus software detection malware are updated and your firewall is on. Many experts suggest the approach "belt and suspenders" to have more than one program as a backup.
• Make sure your browser is up to date.
• Beware email phishing deals, they are quite good at creating authentic-looking emails parodies of shipments of large entities names. Do not click on the email link. If you get an offer from your bank or a big name store do not click on the link, go to the bank or type the site name in your browser.
• Public Wi-Fi is not secure to avoid making bank transactions and expose your cards . credit, passwords or personal information
• Before shopping, it is a good time to update your passwords Create unique passwords for each site -.. See resources below below
• If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Beware of "free" offers gifts and contests unknown sites -. Do not provide personal information or credit card numbers to anyone you do not know
• Stick with reputable sites and brand names. Investigate unknown companies. See the opinions and perform a search for the company name with the word "complaints" or "scams".

Resources

Create passwords
Check the strength of your password
Phishing
OnGuard Online

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