Internet Security - The Truth About Identity Theft

You would hate to think that ordering a new purse or buying a plane ticket for vacation might end up costing you your identity. While most websites are secure when it comes to transactions, your personal and financial information can still be compromised. Identity thieves can open credit cards, checking accounts, and even get an ID to purchase a new car with your personal information. As a result, you could end up owing thousands of dollars and may need legal assistance, which can cost even more money.

Identity theft can, unfortunately, happen to anyone. Here is some information that might be helpful in recognizing and preventing it to maintain your internet security.

Signs that Your Personal Information Might Be Compromised

• You receive something that you did not order.
• Unexplained items appear on your credit report. You might not notice this until you try to make a purchase and get declined due to poor credit.
• Unexplained purchases show up in your checking account or on your credit cards.
• You receive calls from bill collectors for accounts that you did not open.

Preventing Identity Theft

• Always shred any unwanted credit card offers or mail that might contain personal information such as your account number, social security number, or checking account number.
• Stay up to date on the latest scams. There are several websites dedicated to this.
• Use anti-spam software and ensure your email account has a spam filter to handle unwanted emails.
• Check the privacy policy on websites that ask for personal information. Don't submit anything if there isn't a privacy policy.
• Don't store your personal or financial information on your computer. Likewise, don't store your passwords on your computer.
• Don't open attachments from emails sent by unknown senders. Use an anti-virus program to scan emails first to ensure they don't contain phishing or virus programs.
• Keep your firewalls and anti-virus software up to date on all of your computers.

If you suspect that your security has been compromised, change all of your passwords, cancel your credit cards, close your bank account, and report it to the police. Also, report the suspicious activity to your financial institution and credit card company.