Ten Identity Theft Protection Tips

Thanks for this timely reminder Bob.

Care should also be taken at any outdoor ATM or Gas Station when using a credit or debit card. Check that there is no additional scanner that has been placed by identity thieves, at the slot where you slide in your card. Try to use only machines that are indoors in view of staff.

Care should be taken when using a Credit Card anywhere (like a restaurant), where the card is taken away for processing out of your sight.

I agree, the best thing anyone can do is place a permanent freeze with the three Credit Bureaus. Just plan ahead to lift it for a set period of time when you know checks you have authorized will be made.

Never give personal information or credit or debit card information on a website unless the web address starts with httpS

When cards have a microchip, which is coming to this country, and has been in Europe for years, additional wallet security is needed, to block anyone with a scanner reading your card from several feet away.

It may be worth mentioning that ID theft appears to be prevalent only in countries where citizens (and legal residents) do not have to have and carry any ID cards.
Apart from the UK, ID theft is almost unheard of in the rest of Europe, and likewise in South America.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I can't imagine that carrying ID (or not) has much to do with it. ID cards can be faked. And according to the UK website http://www.identitytheft.org.uk, "the most recent figure published by the National Fraud Authority on 18 October 2010 estimated that every year in the UK identity fraud costs more than £2.7billion and affects over 1.8million people." This site is published by CIFAS (the UK’s Fraud Prevention Service) the UK's Home Office, and other agencies.

I got a call from my Visa card company today asking if I had charged a $1 charge to something similar to AOL at 7 am this morning. No way. I called the number on the card (did not give the person who called with the information - duh!) and cancelled the card. Nice that they called, and it was a legitimate call from the Visa card bank I deal with. Nice to know to be wary of these small charges that then will become large ones if the first one goes through.

In response to Renaud who tells us that ID theft is rare in Europe.

You put that to having to carry ID? Are you always asked to show it? Does it have a picture? Is it a government provided ID? What about online purchases?

I also wonder if Europeans are asked for their Social Security Number, if they have such a number, by folk who really don't need to have it, like we are asked for it here in the US. IMO the SS number should be used for Social Security and Income Tax related purposes and nothing else. I am sure that would help foil identity thieves. But maybe that is too naive.

The best protection you can get is to freeze your credit. You have to do it with all three agencies. Once your credit is frozen, you can't apply for any credit without unfreezing which takes about a day to process. Think about it, how often do you really need to apply for new credit? If you need to apply for credit or otherwise get a credit check for something (such as renting a house) you can ask which agency and just unfreeze that one.

Google Clark Howard for complete instructions.

Thanks for this article, Bob. I've been meaning to put a credit freeze on our credit for a while, and you made the process very easy by including the proper links. It was a very painless process.

Your other tips were also useful.

Frank

When you are paying for something online, look up into the information that identifies the site you are using and make sure there is an https instead of simply http. The "S" means that the site you are using to make payments is secure. I always try to make payments only on a secure site.

We had a mortgage with Countrywide, but an executive stole the confidential records of 65,000 customers. It was discovered when Bank of America bought Countrywide. With our OK, BOA installed a “freeze” on our accounts at all three credit bureaus. No one can open any credit cards in our name or do anything else. If we want credit, say to finance a car, we arrange to have the freeze lifted for a few days and give a one-time code to the financing company. So, for an infrequent modest inconvenience, we have a lot of peace of mind. You can go online to each bureau and set it up for yourself. In IL, if you are over 65, it is free.

Thanks.
a) Check with your credit card co. to see if they offer an email alert for a charge showing by whom and amount, almost as soon as you use it. Mine through Chase, lets me set a threshold...$20, $3, $100, etc. if you don't want to "be bothered" by some, but hey, small theft-charges add up as well.
b) You can put a freeze on Credit Reports being issued. I.e. if you apply for new plastic, car loan, etc., you need to take the time to "unthaw" them, but how often are your seeking credit that this might be a trivial "pain"?
c) Seriously, it takes less than a minute while your sitting on the potty to check what hit your bank account each AM during a BM.
Feliz el Dia de Fiesta sin un Nombre!!

Most people know that they should not carry their social security cards in their wallet. Seniors often forget that their medicare cards have their social security number on it. you only need to present it when you visit a new doctor.

Deposit mail containing checks or bill payments in a regular USPS post box. Don't put it in your mail box with the red flag up for the post man. The red flag means steal me.

Thanks.
a) Check with your credit card co. to see if they offer an email alert for a charge showing by whom and amount, almost as soon as you use it. Mine through Chase, lets me set a threshold...$20, $3, $100, etc. if you don't want to "be bothered" by some, but hey, small theft-charges add up as well.
b) You can put a freeze on Credit Reports being issued. I.e. if you apply for new plastic, car loan, etc., you need to take the time to "unthaw" them, but how often are your seeking credit that this might be a trivial "pain"?
c) Seriously, it takes less than a minute while your sitting on the potty to check what hit your bank account each AM during a BM.
Feliz el Dia de Fiesta sin un Nombre!!

Great article, Bob!

Must comment about using the 'https:' on the websites. In theory, this should be a safe, secure site. In reality, there are 'phishing' websites that have the 'https:' and by NO means are they a safe, secure site!!!

I suggest reading Bob's article about programs, that help you 'guard' your computer, against Key-loggers (http://askbobrankin.com/how_to_defeat_a_keylogger.html). I started using Key Scrambler, due to this article. For me, this is just another method, to waylaying Identity Thieves. I have been impressed with Key Scrambler, it's just there, works and doesn't seem to take a lot of resources. Plus, it's FREE!

Bob has many, many articles in the archives, that gives common sense suggestions, to help any of us, secure our computers, to the best of our abilities. Can we achieve perfection? No. However, learning to protect yourself from the computer 'ills' of this world, is a definite start in the right direction.

I think this was a avaluable article. People need frequent reminders to be careful with their personal data.

Last week I received a letter from what appeared to be Direct TV, it mentioned my poor credit rating (actually 890) and asked me to send social security numbers, addresses for the last two years and other personal information.

My employer makes all of us get a refresher every year so I am some what familar with these scams.

This is an excellent article about prevention and I'm paying close attention to the tips. I'm a State Farm Insurance agent. We offer Identity Restoration coverage on our homeowners and renters policies for $25 a year. That is one fee for all relative members of the insured's household. This coverage is underwritten by Hartford Fire and Marine. If you have an identity theft, you are assigned to a specialist with Hartford who does most of the work of getting the mess cleaned up and helps you with what you must do. Since they do this all day every day they are really good at it. I've not used it nor had a client use it yet but I've had friends who, before this protection was available, spent hundreds of hours trying to clean up their credit...especially with department stores who are not so nice about removing the fraudulent charges or accounts. This won't prevent anything but it seems like a service like this would be a good backstop. I have the coverage on my policy. Check your own insurance to see if this is available. It is a lot less costly than many of the credit monitoring services. And, I think it is available in New York :-)

Put all your credit cards on a scanner or copy machine and make 3 photocopies of them. Write the 800 number under each. Keep in a locked place at home, or at work. I kept a copy with me too. When I had some cards stolen, I marked the ones taken and gave my copy to the police. I called my wife who got out the home copy and cancelled the cards. The police had the numbers on NCIC in minutes, and 15 minutes late, the thieves were stopped for a misdemeanor, but the cards were viable on the seat. They were arrested for felony theft.

Bob. have you heard of
identity theft deterrent.com

What is your opinion on their e book offer?