Identity Theft

In today's world, one way for an identity to be stolen is through that person's social security number. With our advanced society that is so fast paced, it has become a trend for new parents to apply for a social security number for their child when they are born, thinking that they are helping their child's future. Yet it is through those same actions that they are doing creating the exact opposite result. It isn't necessary for a newborn child to receive a social security number. A social security number is necessary for those seeking employment, needing social assistance or other types of government funding - none of which are necessary for children to receive. When a young child has received a social security number, they have unfortunately become an easy target for identity stealing thieves who love these social security numbers as they usually go unmonitored for many, many years..

A report was released in 2006 stating that in America an average of 5 percent of all identity theft victims were children under the age of 18 years. That means that over 50,000 children a year become victims of identity theft. Thieves are finding it easier than ever to commit fraud using a child's identity since children normally don't have a credit history nor will they need to use their credit until they enter into post secondary education at the earliest.

When a child's identity is stolen, the thieves can use this information for a greater reduction on their taxes, to receive expensive hospital procedures and apply for credit cards with no intention of paying these bills. When a child's social security number is received, it must be kept in a safe place; otherwise the child's identity could be at risk.

There are ways to protect your child and their future credit history. If you have secured a social security number for your child, be careful about which institutions you give your child's social security number to. There are various organizations that will need to retain your children's personal information for their files. Doctor offices, schools and daycare centers all routinely ask for copies of a child's birth certificate. As a parent is it up to you to determine if it is really necessary for these organizations to have this information. While some organizations, like the doctor's office, may actually need to be provided with this information, as a parent it is your right to ask how they dispose of and store all patient information.

Finding lost or discarded information is fairly easy. Dumpster diving is one way that identity thieves retrieve their information. It is important that you ensure that all forms where you write your child's social security number on are properly discarded - as in shredding - and not just thrown into a garbage bin crumpled up. You can do this by asking how that company discards personal information. It is estimated that roughly one quarter of all child identity thefts occur when a dishonest employee snoops in files they aren't authorized to view at their place of work. The fewer places your child's information is recorded the safer your child is.

Do not give out your child's personal information to family or close friends unless it is absolutely necessary. It has happened where in many child identity theft cases a child's credit has been ruined by a close friend or relative who were able to access the social security number or other information of a child. Only parents or legal guardians need to know a child's social security number once it has been received.

One very important step to take towards safeguarding a child's identity is to teach your child about the dangers of giving out personal information. It is especially important to teach your child about the dangers of the internet and how to protect yourself from hidden dangers. Teach your child not to use their personal information on-line, specifically on social networking sites where they ask for information such as birth date, address, and phone numbers. Make sure that you regularly check your child's profile on these sites in order to monitor what type of information your child is making public. There are many child friendly sites available to children where they can meet new friends and not have the opportunity to give out this information.

Teach your child how to protect their personal information on a daily basis. As your child gets older it is important to teach them how important it is to always be aware of their 'stuff'. Wallets, purses and even cell phones can provide identity thieves with ready access to all types of personal information. Make sure your child is ready for this responsibility before they are allowed to carry these items out in public.

Check your children's credit reports annually when you check your own.

Each year all the major credit agencies will allow people to obtain one free credit report. When you check your credit, you should also attempt obtain a free credit report for each of your children if they have social security numbers. If everything is normal, your child's report should be blank. It is also important to be aware that if your child begins to receive credit card offers in the mail it is a signal that their identity could have been compromised. If that happens, check their credit report immediately.

When it comes to identity theft, it is important to be aware that it is not only your identity that can be compromised but also your child's. With smaller children it is your responsibility to protect their personal information from being used illegally. As your child gets older, it is essential that you begin to teach your child how to protect themselves from identity thieves. It is our job as parents to teach our children the necessary skills for them to become successful adults, and learning how to protect their identity is one of these important skills. It's never too early to begin protecting your children's identity, in fact, you should begin today or better yet, right now.

Rocky Bailey is an identity theft specialist who is passionate about educating consumers regarding the dangers of identity theft. He hopes you will take the time to learn more about identity theft protection at http://www.identitytheftlabs.com/ and start protecting your family today.

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When you think of an ID thief you might think of someone stealing mail from your mail box, sneaking around an ATM, or perhaps lurking online seeking an opportunity to steal your identity. But what if I told you that an ID thief could actually be your housekeeper, a clerk, your neighbor, or anyone that has access to your personal information or home? There have been cases where babysitters have been arrested for ID theft. The very person you trust may not be trustworthy. It's a good idea not to prejudge. With ID theft being a major problem, it is a good idea to safeguard your mail and personal information even in your home. Keep your mail and personal information away from shared areas where you receive outside guest in your home. While your focus is on the outside of your home, the ID thief could be sitting on your sofa lurking through your personal information that's being displayed on your coffee table.

The elderly and handicapped in my opinion are especially vulnerable. They are often relying on the services of others that could predispose them to increased risk. Sometimes it is a necessity to have various helpers coming in that have next to no supervision. It is my opinion, and I share this opinion with many, that some type of ID protection bundled in with all the other services they depend upon daily, has become a necessity. The elderly and handicapped, like the general population, have to keep a clean identity so they can continue to qualify for the various programs they may be utilizing. Having a comprised identity could be absolutely devastating to someone who couldn't qualify for a needed benefit or service because of an identity theft situation. Having an ID theft policy is like having insurance that will not necessarily prevent ID theft, but will provide some peace of mind that someone is monitoring. Identity protection companies will help protect you against ID theft, and also help you recover your good name should you become a victim.

Children are also becoming an increasing target for ID theft. The ID thief could be someone here illegally seeking a social security number to obtain work. Or it could even be someone using a child's social security number to obtain a drivers license after their own has been suspended. There are not many parents that monitor their children's identity, and thieves take advantage of this. There have been cases where young people were unable to secure college loans because someone had compromised their identity. Having an experienced attorney to help you restore your credit may also be necessary. The benefit of subscribing to an ID theft prevention service is definitely cheaper in a lot of cases than becoming a victim of identity theft. Even though someone monitors your credit report, it does not guarantee that you will never become a victim. It does however give you some assurance that you have a tool in place to minimize your exposure, because in today's world it has become a necessity to monitor your credit.

This article cannot be published without full author's details.

Joyce McKnight is a published internet author, and an advocate for consumer awareness. To learn more about identity theft see http://www.idtheftsolutionblog.blogspot.com/.

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There are several crimes that carry the stigma of making a person feel violated; one such crime is that of identity theft. The good news is that identity theft is dealt with on a much harsher level then what it was when the crime came to such wide public notice. However, that still does not make dealing with the repercussions any easier for the victim for identity theft. Although the seriousness of the crime is not taken as lightly as it once was, the aftermath can still have devastating consequences. So the obvious question becomes how do you deal with the aftermath and how do you keep it from happening again.

The first place to begin when dealing with identity theft is to take a complete inventory of exactly what damage has been done. Of course by the time you get to the end of the actual ordeal you should have a good idea of what you're looking at when it comes to the amount of damage to your credit and reputation. The most obvious tool you will need is a statement from the District Attorney that is handling your case. This way you can send notice to creditors and others to let them know what has taken place so the damage can be isolated from what you are actually responsible for.

The next step you will want to take is to notify the Social Security Offices that your Social Security number has been compromised. By letting Social Security know it's highly possible to have a new number issued and the old one cancelled to avoid further complications or damage to your credit. Of course you will want to set up several safety precautions to prevent the possibility of future identity theft.

A few safety precautions that you will want to take are, of course, pin codes. Be certain you don't make the pin numbers too easy to figure out or any number that is easily found by others. However, should you have to give your pin number to someone be certain to change it as soon as possible to avoid an issue later.

Passwords are also a good way to prevent these types of issues. There is one key factor; when asked for your mother's maiden name why not use her middle name, this is much harder for someone to find. Of course make certain to shred information that has account numbers, never throw statements away, at the least black out the numbers so they are unreadable. The best precaution possible is that if given the option for a card with a photo on it be sure to take the option, this definitely helps avoid the possibility of theft.

Joann Carlisle is a writer who enjoys sharing her knowledge and advice with readers. For more on identity theft, Moneyed Up offers readers tips for protecting themselves from identity theft.

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We all use credit cards, and many of us use them daily. We use them at local businesses, online and over the phone. With credit cards being used in so many different places, thieves have many opportunities to steal information. One of the biggest fears of credit card users is that their accounts will be compromised.

In the event that your card is stolen, it is important to know exactly what to do to prevent significant financial loss. There are several things you can do both before your information becomes compromised, as well as after the fact.

Here are some tips to keep in mind.

1. Notify your credit card company:

Before the theft happens, be sure you have the phone number of your credit company and your account number in an easy-to-find place. Call them immediately upon learning that your information has been stolen, so that they can deactivate your card and prevent future purchases by the thief.

Often credit card companies will not hold you liable for fraudulent charges made on your card. By notifying them quickly, you not only are able to stop future purchases, but your credit company can document the date from which you are not liable for purchases made on your card.

Be sure to write down the names of each person you talk to when you call the company, and document the date and time that you called. It is also useful to have a short, written summary of your phone conversations with each person. This information may be crucial in the event you need to prove that you took immediate action, and that you were instructed by official representatives from your credit card company.

2. Call the credit-reporting agencies:

Alert these companies of the theft so that they can put a fraud-alert on your account. Do this as soon as you become aware that your account has been compromised. This prevents the thieves from opening any new accounts in your name. Here is the contact information for two of the major national credit-reporting agencies.

3. Document your credit status:

You are entitled to a free copy of your credit report from each of the three credit bureaus every year. Take advantage of this if your credit card information falls into the wrong hands. If your credit card information is stolen, it is important to get documented proof of your current credit standing before any fraudulent activity is reported.

Keep in mind that even if you have already obtained a free copy this year, you may be able to get another one if there is a fraud alert on your account.

4. Call your local police

Let them know of the theft and file a police report.

5. Consider filing an identity-theft report:

This report is generally in two parts. You will probably complete part at your local police station and part at a consumer reporting agency.

Hopefully, your credit card information will never be compromised. But if you should become the victim of fraud, these tips will help you take control of the situation as quickly and efficiently as possible.

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The invention of text messaging - and particularly, the widespread adoption of cellular data plans that allow for unlimited texting - has been a real boon for the honest and law-abiding citizen. Text messages, also known as Short Message Service (SMS), provide a tremendous convenience for today's busy people. They let us alert loved ones that we'll be a few minutes late, gossip with friends in quiet places, and send key information to coworkers or friends. Unfortunately, this same convenience and ease of use makes text messaging an area that is ripe for exploitation by the unscrupulous and criminal element.

If you text, you've probably received "spam" marketing text messages uninvited in your inbox; if you weren't on an unlimited plan, you may have expressed a few choice words at having to pay an extra charge for the privilege of seeing an unwanted advertisement. But text spam is an irritant at worst; the real threat comes from "smishers," identity thieves using the SMS system to try to trick or extort personal identity from unwary consumers.

These scammers will usually send a faked message that pretends to be an official communication from your financial institution. The fake text will ask you to contact someone in the office at a provided phone number or to click on a link embedded in the text message to visit a web site from your cell phone's browser. The phone number leads to a boiler-room crime ring, and the web site is a fake, designed to look like the real site, but it is, in fact, completely in the control of the identity thieves. Once they have you on the phone or on the web site, a smooth talking operator will attempt to get your identity information, such as your account number(s), your social security number, your home address, etc.

Sometimes spotting smishing attempts can be very simple, as when there are obvious misspellings in the message, the name of the financial institution is slightly wrong, or the request for information is blatantly obvious. Unfortunately, many smishers have grown much more sophisticated; their dummy sites look and work just like the official site, and the people working the phones or the online chat system at the website are very knowledgeable and skilled at emulating real financial industry professionals.

There are four key defensive techniques.

One, be suspicious to the point of paranoia about your passwords and account information. No reputable financial institution will ask you to provide, to verify, or to confirm such information over an unsecured phone or Internet chat line, and they will NEVER call you or text you to ask you to provide or confirm such information in order to avoid an account closure or other dire consequence.

Two, you can further protect this information by ensuring that you always have strong passwords for your accounts at financial sites, using a different password for each account so that one lucky guess doesn't open up your entire portfolio to these hackers.

There are several defensive measures in order to get rid and be free from text message scams. The most important defensive measure is to never ever give your account details and password to anyone. Wayne Westland Federal Credit Union offers several other preventive measures against scams; visit their website now to learn them.

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Identity theft is becoming a popular crime in the United States. Cases usually involve names, addresses, bank account information, credit card information, and so on. About 10 million Americans have encountered these problems. This is why the Federal Trade Commission has reminded people to be on guard all the time.

Once someone has stolen your identity, they will take over your financial identity. Usually, this includes spending your money without you knowing. For instance, if a thief steals your credit card information, he/she may make a lot of purchases that will be charged on you. Worse cases of identity theft involve anonymous people making loans and opening bank accounts using your name without again without you knowing. It could get even worse.

So how do you defend yourself from such unscrupulous criminals?

Authorities say that you, like anyone else, are not safe from identity theft. So, authorities have devised certain tactics to lessen your likelihood of becoming an identity theft victim.

1. Hide your social security number. It is difficult to memorize phone numbers, bank account numbers, passwords and social security numbers that sometimes we choose to write them down on a piece of paper. However, when you do so, you become vulnerable to identity theft. What if you leave that number on your table or you drop it somewhere on your way home?

2. Make sure that you sign out your e-mail even when you are at home and most especially when you are using the internet outside. It is extremely careless and irresponsible to leave your email account open when you leave. This is not necessarily an act of paranoia but of precaution. Have you heard of people who could no longer access their emails because they accidentally left them open? There have been several cases and even the worse could happen. Log out your Facebook or Twitter accounts, too, when you leave your desk.

3. Do not throw your credit card and bank statements anywhere, because they contain some personal information. The safest way to dispose of them is by using a shredder.

4. Do not give your personal information right away. There will be instances where you receive phone calls, text messages, or emails from people you do not know, and they may be telling you about special offers and promos. If they ask for your personal information, do not respond. You have to be smart and alert all the time.

5. Protect your PC by making sure that it is updated. Update your antivirus software program as well. This will protect you from cyber attacks. Beware when downloading files or installing programs, because some of them could include spywares. Another way to protect your computer is to use a password that only you know.

6. Have photocopies of your credit cards and store them in a safe, locked place in your home. If your wallet gets stolen, you should cancel all your credit and debit cards right away. Canceling them would be fast if you provide the needed information without a hassle. In case your credit or debit card gets lost, you must inform your bank immediately.

7. It is also recommended that you double-check your credit report to see if there is any strange activity. Contact the bank and the authorities if you see anything suspicious, like purchases that you do not remember making but appearing on the report.

8. Change the passwords of your email, social media, and online banking accounts regularly. Make sure your passwords are not easy to guess.

For more information about identity theft, click here or visit our website, http://www.safeidentityprotection.com/.

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Identity theft is a growing problem that victimises thousands of people worldwide on a daily basis. Valuable information that is written on documents including credit card information, national insurance numbers and bank account and routing information, can be stolen out of the bin or recycling by savvy and determined thieves. Many people mistakenly assume that merely blacking out important numbers is enough to deter identity thieves. Unfortunately this is not the case.

Sophisticated thieves do not need a complete set of information in order to steal a persons' identity. Sometimes a name and parts of an address or a few old phone numbers are enough to create a new persona, including credit cards issued in the name of the person whose identity was stolen. Documents that otherwise seem innocuous, like a national insurance and tax id numbers can be used to create new documents that help steal identity. The more little pieces of information a thief has, such as past employers and hospital of birth or an old passport or driver's license photo with a name on it, can be enough information to cause millions of dollars of debt and years of grief for the victim. This is why people and businesses often turn to a shredding service to help them deal with the large volume of material they need to shred.

The best thing to do is to shred all documents will all identifying information, no matter how innocent the information may seem. This can add up to thousands of pages of documents a week, which is no easy task for a small shredder.

Additionally, computer disks, including DVDs and CD's can contain private information that cannot be erased. Only a commercial shredder can handle harder material such as this. Commercial shredders are able to shred clothes, large volumes of paper, plastics, and many other materials that smaller domestic and office shredders cannot handle. Even credit cards can slow down domestic and office shredders. A shredding service has large shredders that are capable of handling large volumes of heavy material without slowing down.

A reputable shredding service can help any home or office prevent identity theft and important information from getting into the wrong hands. Hiring an outside service also saves time and money in the long run. In addition to saving money and time spent tracking down and stopping identity thieves, an outside service saves time and money over using a small shredder for large volumes. A shredder can uses large amounts of energy every year. This cost is greatly increased when the machine is taxed by using it at a much higher volume that it was designed for. Much of this cost can be saved by hiring an outside company to provide this service for a home or business.

Jennifer is a business consultant and has worked with different companies in her career. She thinks that it is important for businesses to dispose of private documents through a shredding service to protect information. For more details, please visit The Shredding Alliance.

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