women's issues

In 2007, nearly eight and a half million people became victims of identity theft (Javelin Strategy and Research Survey 2007).

That means that every minute almost 15 people had their identity stolen from them. These are alarming numbers when you can probably think of 15 people you know right now.

Rather than rob banks or steal from department stores outright, thieves are using innocent people at an alarming rate to carry out their dirty deeds without anyone being any the wiser until weeks or even months after it has happened.

When identity theft happens, your name, personal information and contact information is up for grabs to be used against you in order to give thieves access to your bank information and credit identity.

The Ways of a Thief

Scam artists and thieves are utilising every available avenue to gain your personal information. Every time you share your personal information, you open the possibility for it to be used against you by an unscrupulous person who will use your information for their own personal gain. Identity thieves have numerous avenues of obtaining your personal information.

Phishing – Becoming widely popular on the Internet and through mobile phones, ID thieves will contact you claiming to be from either a company you know and do business with or a person who has otherwise come into wealth and wants to share it with you. They will ask for personal and/or bank information.

Private Records – Possibly the most disturbing as thieves who obtain your personal information do it through companies that have ‘safeguards’ to protect you. Some are employees who are out to steal your information and ID thieves have paid company employees to gain access to your information.

Mail – ID theft happens when someone goes through your incoming and outgoing mail. Your personal information lies in wait for them to open and do with as they please. From your bank statements, credit card statements and even utility bills, thieves have access to everything they need to create a new identity and use it to their advantage.

Personal Theft – Though it’s becoming less common, thieves can still steal your purse and all its contents directly from you – either by breaking into your home or taking it from your person. Recently there have been reports from large companies where company databases have been hacked into and personal information has become vulnerable.

What Happens to Your Information

The information is often used in cheque writing scams, opening new lines of credit, loans and making large purchases all by assuming your name and credit ID. Many people don’t discover the theft has even occurred until months after it begins and it’s usually discovered by accident or when the innocent person tries to obtain a line of credit or use their existing credit and is denied.

The time it takes you to repair the damage done to your credit and identity was estimated by the Federal Trade Commission in 2003, to be around 600 hours and thousands of dollars in extra expenses. The steps you take could prevent you from becoming a victim and alert you to suspicious activity.

Protecting Yourself from Identity Theft

Start by becoming more cautious of who you give information to and where your personal information is listed.  While many companies in the US use your social security number as an identifier for your accounts, always ask if that information is necessary and if you could substitute a buzzword or password.  Never be afraid to question a company that requires your personal information.

Whenever you travel, never leave personal information. Often, receipts are left in restaurants and petrol stations from paying with credit or debit cards. Rather than toss it in the garbage at the establishment, take it home with you and properly dispose of it by shredding it. In fact, any documents or papers with your identifying information on it should be shredded. If you aren’t able to afford a shredder, watch for community shredding events. This way you can take all your documents and old personal papers to be disposed of and kept out of the hands of would be thieves.

Your mailbox is a haven for ID thieves. Both your incoming and outgoing mail is vulnerable. You have the option of obtaining a post office box for incoming mail to deter someone from going through your mail box. It can easily be stolen as well as any mail you send out in your mail box. Cheques and bills for utilities, credit cards and even your mortgage are at risk of being taken right from your mailbox. Take the extra time when running errands and drop any outgoing mail you have directly at the post office.

The last thing you should already be doing as a conscientious consumer and individual is scrutinising your monthly statements. Bank statements and credit card statements need to be looked over carefully for discrepancies.

You don’t have to become a victim of Identity theft as long as you are wary of the information you provide, are watchful of who has access of that information and diligent in reviewing your credit and monthly statements. Your private identity should be guarded as closely as you would your home or your family. Protecting yourself properly may save you the trauma of becoming an identity theft victim.

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