Identity theft has been the most common type of crime for many years now, and it’s a problem that doesn’t seem to be getting any better. It’s more common than robbery and burglary combined. Identity theft happens when someone steals personal information about you, like your name, date of birth, social security number for job1usa security, address or even credit card numbers.
1. In a lot of cases, people don’t even know they’ve been a victim to identity theft because their personal information has been used without their consent. There are several methods used to commit identity theft, but the most common are using your information on a check or credit card that is stolen, or by purchasing a phone account in your name.
2. Identity thieves may also use other pieces of private information about you like your mother’s maiden name and medical history as part of their schemes. Whatever method is used to steal your personal information is usually not connected to you until after the stolen information has already been carried out.
3. It’s not just credit card companies that are affected by identity theft either. Many banks use social security numbers to verify your employment history, so if they’re stolen they can be used to obtain your full salary. Banks also use the information to verify your account information when you open a bank account and begin making transactions with them.
4. Mailing a check in someone else’s name is one of the most common ways identity thieves use stolen information, but it can be done in other ways with fewer steps than using a check.
5. A lot of businesses and financial institutions have already taken steps to prevent identity theft, but there is still a lot of work to be done. There are also businesses that have not yet done enough to protect themselves and their customers from identity theft.
6. Although it might seem like a difficult problem, there are companies working hard to protect you from identity theft. There are also several steps you can take on your end too. Making sure all of your personal information is accurate and secure is the first step in protecting yourself from identity theft. So if your address or phone number has changed recently, make sure the new information is correct in case it’s used illegitimately by an identity thief later on.
7. It’s also important to know your rights if you are a victim of identity theft. You are entitled to place a fraud alert on your credit file, which can be done free of charge. If you’ve already been victimized by identity theft and you contact the Federal Trade Commission about it, they can help you put a freeze on your credit information.
8. It seems like there are ways for identity thieves to get their hands on personal information at any time, but the good news is that it’s not impossible to prevent them from doing so.
9. A lot of people don’t think identity theft is such a big deal, but they should realize that it can have serious consequences. It’s estimated that over four million victims are victims of identity theft each year, so make sure you are familiar with what steps you must take to protect yourself from this common problem.
10. In the past, it used to be difficult for consumers to file claims in the case of identity theft because it was difficult for the consumer to prove that their information had been stolen. With advances in technology however, more companies and financial institutions have created better ways of protecting their clients from identity theft and fraud.
11. The internet has also helped foster an environment where identity theft can flourish. Consumers can be exposed to fraud anytime they use the net and they can even be victimized by identity theft while shopping online.
12. Any piece of personal information can be used by identity thieves, so make sure you are practicing good personal hygiene when it comes to protecting your information. This includes keeping your credit report up to date, shredding any documents with private information before throwing them out, and not giving out your personal information to anyone other than people you know and trust.
13. Many people tend to think that if they haven’t been victimized by identity theft, then they won’t be. They believe that it’s only a problem for specific demographics or economic groups and not for them. When in fact it affects all people, regardless of who they are or what group they belong to.
14. Children are particularly at risk as well because their names and birthdates can be used against them, especially since children don’t have credit files themselves yet so there isn’t any way to know if they’ve been victimized by identity theft or fraud yet.
15. There are several ways in which you can prevent your information from being stolen and then used by an identity thief later on.
