Identity Theft

The home computer is one of the newer places for identity theft to occur. Many people don’t understand how it can happen to them but later realize they really messed up using online services that just weren’t secure.An intelligent identity thief can easily get all of your personal information and use it to destroy your credit which could take years to repair even if you prove you are a victim.One of the easiest ways for someone to get more information than you can imagine is when you simply upgrade, donate or throw away your old computer.

People can be so excited about their new computer that they simply unplug their old one and set it aside until it’s time to dispose of it.

This is one of the worst things you can do. That old computer has all of your computer cookies, bookmarks, emails, and everything you ever looked at on it. 

Someone just has to take it home and plug it in to see what you have been doing, buying, and looking at which can give them a window of everything you have done.  Don’t think that just because you deleted everything on the hard-drive that there no information on it.  Someone with computer savy can still get the information from it.  I would recommend putting the hard-drive under an electro-magnet to completely erase it. 

The Internet itself is used to gain access to all kinds of personal information. College students are at very high risk because their personal information and grades are often posted on the Internet so they can check it.

All it takes is someone to figure out their password and they now have everything they need. It’s not hard to stop this from happening in the first place.

Use difficult passwords. Don’t use anything that is related to you. No numbers, no names, nothing like that. Choose a password that is eight to ten characters long with numbers and letters in it. That is very hard to crack. When you use a password like that you might want to write it down and keep it some place safe in case you don’t remember it.

Many people love and hate their checkbooks. They are absolutely unnecessary in today’s world but people are naturally stubborn and will continue to use paper checks.These little rectangular pieces of paper have the ability to ruin your life for years. That sounds a little dramatic but it’s all too common in todays society.People view checks as convenient and may be scared to get a debit card because it requires changing their old routine.  Be careful using debit cards also.  If someone is standing near you on a cell phone watch that they are not taking pictures of your debit or credit card. for the information on them.

What makes simple checks so damaging is the fact they have an enormous amount of your personal information on them. Every single check has your bank account and routing numbers right there on the bottom.

In skilled hands, just these numbers alone can enable someone to get money right from your account and deposit it in their own. Sure you will find out on your next bank statement but by then, the damage is done.

Another important piece of information on a paper check is your full name and address. Many married couples put the name of their spouse on there as well.

Now they have two identities to steal. Identity thieves absolutely love it when people are foolish enough to put social security numbers on the check too. There is no reason anyone should ever do that. Never put your social security number on your check. If your social security number is on there with your name, address, account number and routing number, you might as well walk strangers into your house and give them all of your bank statements, credit card bills, and utility bills.

It’s just ridiculous. If your checkbook is stolen, even if you cancel the checks, the information is all still on them. Be very careful to keep your checks secure and put as little information on them as possible on them. Remember identity theft occurs every day, don’t make it easy for the thief.