Swordfish shredders are well-known for their quality and value for money, but the 1000XCD also boasts an innovative design. Its ‘space-saver’ design lets you store and operate the shredder underneath your desk, but it comes with wheels in case you want to keep it somewhere else. Plus its 15 litre waste bin neatly slides out of the narrow side of the shredder. But just because it’s sleek doesn’t mean it can’t handle big shredding jobs at 2 metres per minute, it can easily shred paper, clips and credit cards for ID theft prevention. If you want to shred CDs or DVDs then this shredder cleverly embosses hundreds of tiny dimples into both sides of the disc, so it’s impossible to read. Forever. The Swordfish 1000XCD cross cut shredder is the must-have device for any office.
Douglas
September 30, 2010
SWORDFISH 1000XCD CROSS CUT SHREDDER smart space saver
a1stores asked:
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Identity Theft Prevention Techniques
portlandpolice asked:
Identity Theft Can Happen To AnyoneThe best way to avoid becoming a victim is good prevention techniques.
Adam
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September 28, 2010
The How to of ID Theft Prevention
Jesse Whitehead asked:
Do you realize that as you read this article that criminals are searching for new ways in which to steal your identity? This does not mean they want to actually wear your shoes and sleep in your bed! What it means is that through your personal details, an individual can open numerous bank accounts and credit card accounts, and acquire various financial services. It is essential to understand how to prevent identity theft as otherwise you may lose an untold amount of money to these thieves.
There are two main areas through which a criminal will attempt to get hold of your confidential personal information. First, there is the old-fashioned method of going through household trash to find any documents that may contain such information. If you want to minimize the chance of falling victim to this crime then you should ask your bank or credit card company to cut down on the number of paper statements they send to you. Also, any documents you receive through the mail should be thoroughly disposed of by shredding.
Secondly, the internet has allowed criminals to have many different methods of stealing an identity. Sadly there are new scams being perpetuated all the time on the unsuspecting. For instance, it is possible for your system to be infected with spyware that steals important data from your computer and sends it back to a host computer.
We all receive emails from unknown people promising us money if we give them some of our personal information. Never reply to such messages. If you receive an email that claims to be from you bank, then you should be more than a little suspicious.
It has happened that people have received mails purporting to be from their bank asking for pin numbers and passwords. Only after giving out this information did they discover they had been the victim of a phishing scam.
If you are ever unsure about any correspondence – be it by email, regular mail, or phone – don’t hesitate to double check. It would not take you long to ring up your bank to find out if they have really sent that email asking for your password details.
It is generally a good idea not to store important personal information on your computer’s hard drive. The exception is if you the information encrypted and password protected. A good password and login management software is RoboForm, which allow users to use a master password to protect all of their user names, passwords, PINs and so forth in an encrypted database on the computer.
There are also other software applications that can help you manage your personal information. Just be sure it has a method for encrypting and/or protecting with a master password.
As long as you understand the ways in which identity theft operates you should be able to take steps to protect yourself. Be proactive, and don’t wait until you become a victim to take action.
Luis
Do you realize that as you read this article that criminals are searching for new ways in which to steal your identity? This does not mean they want to actually wear your shoes and sleep in your bed! What it means is that through your personal details, an individual can open numerous bank accounts and credit card accounts, and acquire various financial services. It is essential to understand how to prevent identity theft as otherwise you may lose an untold amount of money to these thieves.
There are two main areas through which a criminal will attempt to get hold of your confidential personal information. First, there is the old-fashioned method of going through household trash to find any documents that may contain such information. If you want to minimize the chance of falling victim to this crime then you should ask your bank or credit card company to cut down on the number of paper statements they send to you. Also, any documents you receive through the mail should be thoroughly disposed of by shredding.
Secondly, the internet has allowed criminals to have many different methods of stealing an identity. Sadly there are new scams being perpetuated all the time on the unsuspecting. For instance, it is possible for your system to be infected with spyware that steals important data from your computer and sends it back to a host computer.
We all receive emails from unknown people promising us money if we give them some of our personal information. Never reply to such messages. If you receive an email that claims to be from you bank, then you should be more than a little suspicious.
It has happened that people have received mails purporting to be from their bank asking for pin numbers and passwords. Only after giving out this information did they discover they had been the victim of a phishing scam.
If you are ever unsure about any correspondence – be it by email, regular mail, or phone – don’t hesitate to double check. It would not take you long to ring up your bank to find out if they have really sent that email asking for your password details.
It is generally a good idea not to store important personal information on your computer’s hard drive. The exception is if you the information encrypted and password protected. A good password and login management software is RoboForm, which allow users to use a master password to protect all of their user names, passwords, PINs and so forth in an encrypted database on the computer.
There are also other software applications that can help you manage your personal information. Just be sure it has a method for encrypting and/or protecting with a master password.
As long as you understand the ways in which identity theft operates you should be able to take steps to protect yourself. Be proactive, and don’t wait until you become a victim to take action.
Luis
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New and Old Identity Theft
Fred Jones asked:
The development of internet is no doubt the greatest development of the century. People can now share and find information they need right in front of their computer at home. Internet, or the sea of information as some people would call it, holds massive amount of information and data from all over the world, written and shared by many different people. The internet provides a lot of information to make people’s lives easier and more productive, including those who use the information in an un-lawful manner. With the surplus of information, it is now as easy as ever to get your identity stolen by the common con-artists.
Too much of anything can lead to a bad result, and in this case, too much information is now helping con-artists to steal your identity. Their old method of digging through trash for credit card numbers, bank accounts, and even social security numbers thrown away is now being used in a more technological way. Back then, the con-artists used these numbers to make a new credit card or even opening up a loan. Now, they search through the data called cookies in a computer to find account ID and passwords to access someone’s information. With the information, they can not only ruin your credit to get money, but there were even some cases where it has ruined people’s reputation by sending spam e-mails through someone’s email account.
Do not be afraid, there are certain measures to be taken to prevent these scams. Like the cross-shredding of important documents, such as bank statements and other financial documents, there are ways to prevent identity theft online. People should still request free credit reports annually to see if there are some irregularities, even new credit card accounts or loans opened under your identity.
The first and the most important step to prevent identity is through secure passwords. Use a strong password, with both letters and numbers mixed in together and it should be more than 8 characters to be safe. Some people go to the extreme to change their passwords every five to ten days, but it is safe to do so every three months. Try making them the not so obvious ones such as birthdays or even worse, your social security number. There are hackers working together with the con-artists today so, try to make it more difficult for them to figure out your password. And lastly, make different passwords for different accounts so if someone figures one out, you are safe on the other ones.
The usual “read all the text” applies in online businesses as well. Since it costs less than $50 to make a website, it becomes easier to set up a very convincing website to obtain your information. So make sure to do some research on a search engine about opinions about that website since some people might post their experience with the site. Well, you can never be too safe, so make sure to research, and even some websites that help you protect yourself, such as identitytheft.com, so make use of your resources and safe surfing.
Tim
The development of internet is no doubt the greatest development of the century. People can now share and find information they need right in front of their computer at home. Internet, or the sea of information as some people would call it, holds massive amount of information and data from all over the world, written and shared by many different people. The internet provides a lot of information to make people’s lives easier and more productive, including those who use the information in an un-lawful manner. With the surplus of information, it is now as easy as ever to get your identity stolen by the common con-artists.
Too much of anything can lead to a bad result, and in this case, too much information is now helping con-artists to steal your identity. Their old method of digging through trash for credit card numbers, bank accounts, and even social security numbers thrown away is now being used in a more technological way. Back then, the con-artists used these numbers to make a new credit card or even opening up a loan. Now, they search through the data called cookies in a computer to find account ID and passwords to access someone’s information. With the information, they can not only ruin your credit to get money, but there were even some cases where it has ruined people’s reputation by sending spam e-mails through someone’s email account.
Do not be afraid, there are certain measures to be taken to prevent these scams. Like the cross-shredding of important documents, such as bank statements and other financial documents, there are ways to prevent identity theft online. People should still request free credit reports annually to see if there are some irregularities, even new credit card accounts or loans opened under your identity.
The first and the most important step to prevent identity is through secure passwords. Use a strong password, with both letters and numbers mixed in together and it should be more than 8 characters to be safe. Some people go to the extreme to change their passwords every five to ten days, but it is safe to do so every three months. Try making them the not so obvious ones such as birthdays or even worse, your social security number. There are hackers working together with the con-artists today so, try to make it more difficult for them to figure out your password. And lastly, make different passwords for different accounts so if someone figures one out, you are safe on the other ones.
The usual “read all the text” applies in online businesses as well. Since it costs less than $50 to make a website, it becomes easier to set up a very convincing website to obtain your information. So make sure to do some research on a search engine about opinions about that website since some people might post their experience with the site. Well, you can never be too safe, so make sure to research, and even some websites that help you protect yourself, such as identitytheft.com, so make use of your resources and safe surfing.
Tim
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September 22, 2010
Internet Security and Risk Management PART 1 of 2
SEASLLorg asked:
Identity theft and financial crimes against millions of families have reached alarming proportions in 2010. Prof Steffen Schmidt interviews Internet security experts, Dr. Doug Jacobsen, and Computer Engineering PhD student Tom Daniels. He is joined by Michael McCoy who is the co-author with Schmidt on two identity theft books and thousands of ID theft prevention education and certification workshops throughout the world. The experts he talked to agree that everyone should freeze their credit and keep small balances in bank accounts which can easily be plundered by unauthorized people. The following is from the US Federal Trade Commission: Many states have laws that let consumers freeze their credit in other words, letting a consumer restrict access to his or her credit report. If you place a credit freeze, potential creditors and other third parties will not be able to get access to your credit report unless you temporarily lift the freeze. This means that its unlikely that an identity thief would be able to open a new account in your name. Placing a credit freeze does not affect your credit score nor does it keep you from getting your free annual credit report, or from buying your credit report or score. Credit freeze laws vary from state to state. In some states, anyone can freeze their credit file, while in other states, only identity theft victims can. The cost of placing, temporarily lifting, and removing a credit freeze also varies. Many states make credit freezes …
Nellie
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September 21, 2010
7 Tips on Identity Theft Prevention
Jonathan D. Beebe asked:
Identity Theft is an extremely fast-growing crime in today’s society. In 2006, more than 9 million Americans fell victim to several types of Identity Theft, costing them a total of around $5.5 billion. I was one of those victims. Before I knew it, my bank account was drained, I had been banned from websites such as eBay, and I was already facing problems in my life at that point. It was then I decided to invest a small monthly income on some Identity Theft Protection.
I never thought I could be one of those people. You know, the one’s you see on the television commercials talking about how their Identity got stolen. Because of that, I didn’t take much thought in being mindful of my day-to-day activities. Below are 7 things I could have done, and you should practice to minimize your chances of falling victim to this outreaching crime. Even so, I recommend you invest in a reliable Identity Theft Protection service, because the next victim could be YOU.
1. Be sure to check your credit report from all three major credit bureaus at least once a year to see if there are any errors, or points of question. A good Identity Theft Protection service will do this for you on a regular basis.
2. Don’t use an easily guessed PIN number for your debit card or online passwords. Always pick something random, that nobody would be able to logically figure out.
3. Never give out personal information over the phone, or Internet unless you have made sure you are processing a transaction over a secure server. If in question, don’t submit unless you have verified it.
4. If your web browser has a Phishing filter, keep it turned on. Phishing is a website that mimics another website in an attempt to get your personal information. For example, a website may be phishing eBays website so they send you an Email that looks identical to an Email that eBay would send you that says you have a bid on the product you are selling. You then click on the link and it tells you to log in. You enter your information and click Submit. Now that website has your personal information because they made you think you were logging into eBay. An internet Phishing filter will identify these websites for you.
5. Make sure you know when your bills arrive, and read them over carefully to make sure they are not fake and you don’t give out your bank account or credit card information to a thief.
6. Refrain from throwing away documents and receipts out in public. Wait until you get home and shred them.
7. Unless absolutely necessary, never give out your Social Security number. If an agency asks you for it (other than your bank, tax reporting service, employer, etc.), always ask them why they need it and always be cautious.
That concludes my list of 7 things you can do to minimize the chances of falling victim to Identity Theft. It is a sneaky crime that gets more and more complicated as time and technology advances. The only way to ensure you are completely protected, once again, is to sign up for Identity Theft Protection.
Wendy
Identity Theft is an extremely fast-growing crime in today’s society. In 2006, more than 9 million Americans fell victim to several types of Identity Theft, costing them a total of around $5.5 billion. I was one of those victims. Before I knew it, my bank account was drained, I had been banned from websites such as eBay, and I was already facing problems in my life at that point. It was then I decided to invest a small monthly income on some Identity Theft Protection.
I never thought I could be one of those people. You know, the one’s you see on the television commercials talking about how their Identity got stolen. Because of that, I didn’t take much thought in being mindful of my day-to-day activities. Below are 7 things I could have done, and you should practice to minimize your chances of falling victim to this outreaching crime. Even so, I recommend you invest in a reliable Identity Theft Protection service, because the next victim could be YOU.
1. Be sure to check your credit report from all three major credit bureaus at least once a year to see if there are any errors, or points of question. A good Identity Theft Protection service will do this for you on a regular basis.
2. Don’t use an easily guessed PIN number for your debit card or online passwords. Always pick something random, that nobody would be able to logically figure out.
3. Never give out personal information over the phone, or Internet unless you have made sure you are processing a transaction over a secure server. If in question, don’t submit unless you have verified it.
4. If your web browser has a Phishing filter, keep it turned on. Phishing is a website that mimics another website in an attempt to get your personal information. For example, a website may be phishing eBays website so they send you an Email that looks identical to an Email that eBay would send you that says you have a bid on the product you are selling. You then click on the link and it tells you to log in. You enter your information and click Submit. Now that website has your personal information because they made you think you were logging into eBay. An internet Phishing filter will identify these websites for you.
5. Make sure you know when your bills arrive, and read them over carefully to make sure they are not fake and you don’t give out your bank account or credit card information to a thief.
6. Refrain from throwing away documents and receipts out in public. Wait until you get home and shred them.
7. Unless absolutely necessary, never give out your Social Security number. If an agency asks you for it (other than your bank, tax reporting service, employer, etc.), always ask them why they need it and always be cautious.
That concludes my list of 7 things you can do to minimize the chances of falling victim to Identity Theft. It is a sneaky crime that gets more and more complicated as time and technology advances. The only way to ensure you are completely protected, once again, is to sign up for Identity Theft Protection.
Wendy
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September 19, 2010
A Serious Look At Identity Theft Prevention For You
Jon Arnold asked:
Do you use identity theft prevention measures? If not, you may want to start. Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes of this century and more than 10 million people find themselves a victim of it annually. The vast majority of this is simply not being cautious with who they share their personal information with.
If you discover that you have become a victim, you can probably anticipate paying at least $500 in cold hard cash to get the problems corrected. This is real money, and does not even count the 80+ hours of your personal time that you will also need to invest in writing letters, sending faxes, making phone calls, and trying to convince very skeptical debtors that it was not you that racked up all those charges. As these thieves continue to get smarter, you must also keep up on what is going on for the best identity theft prevention measures that you can use.
Everyone has heard that one of the best ways to not become a victim is to shred all mail that comes into your home. This is a great first step. Make sure that you use a shredder that cross-cuts the paper, since this will completely alleviate the ability to put the document back together. One often overlooked item to shred is magazines. Many magazines have preprinted order forms inside that have your name and account number on them, so tear off the address label and the order form before you throw them out.
The government has become aware of the prevalence and severity of this crime and has implemented some legislation aimed at identity theft prevention. The first thing is allowing you to get a free credit report once a year from each of the credit bureaus so that you can see activity on your account and identify activity that should not be there.
The credit reporting companies have also gotten into the act to help you prevent this crime. One way is to send them an “opt-out” which means that you no longer want any banks or financial institutions to mail you offers, even if you qualify. This is a great idea, especially because you may be tempted to sign up for what may appear to be great offers and then find yourself with financial problems due to over-extending yourself.
The credit bureaus also allow you to request a “credit freeze” on your account which will completely freeze your report. What this means is that nobody can run a credit report on you without your express permission. To get permission, it is a somewhat difficult process, and most identity thieves will not bother with this since there are so many targets that are much easier.
If you still feel vulnerable, you might consider buying identity theft protection. Two popular ways are either hiring a company that monitors you credit report and notifies you of any changes or there are companies available that will help you prevent it to begin with. Either type of company can be found online and charge a monthly fee for the service.
The crime of identity theft continues to grow every year, so the ball is in your court to take preventive measures. Be cautious of who you share your personal information with, both online and offline, and implementing these tactics can very well save you the huge time and expense involved with fixing the problem if you become a victim.
Sherry
Do you use identity theft prevention measures? If not, you may want to start. Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes of this century and more than 10 million people find themselves a victim of it annually. The vast majority of this is simply not being cautious with who they share their personal information with.
If you discover that you have become a victim, you can probably anticipate paying at least $500 in cold hard cash to get the problems corrected. This is real money, and does not even count the 80+ hours of your personal time that you will also need to invest in writing letters, sending faxes, making phone calls, and trying to convince very skeptical debtors that it was not you that racked up all those charges. As these thieves continue to get smarter, you must also keep up on what is going on for the best identity theft prevention measures that you can use.
Everyone has heard that one of the best ways to not become a victim is to shred all mail that comes into your home. This is a great first step. Make sure that you use a shredder that cross-cuts the paper, since this will completely alleviate the ability to put the document back together. One often overlooked item to shred is magazines. Many magazines have preprinted order forms inside that have your name and account number on them, so tear off the address label and the order form before you throw them out.
The government has become aware of the prevalence and severity of this crime and has implemented some legislation aimed at identity theft prevention. The first thing is allowing you to get a free credit report once a year from each of the credit bureaus so that you can see activity on your account and identify activity that should not be there.
The credit reporting companies have also gotten into the act to help you prevent this crime. One way is to send them an “opt-out” which means that you no longer want any banks or financial institutions to mail you offers, even if you qualify. This is a great idea, especially because you may be tempted to sign up for what may appear to be great offers and then find yourself with financial problems due to over-extending yourself.
The credit bureaus also allow you to request a “credit freeze” on your account which will completely freeze your report. What this means is that nobody can run a credit report on you without your express permission. To get permission, it is a somewhat difficult process, and most identity thieves will not bother with this since there are so many targets that are much easier.
If you still feel vulnerable, you might consider buying identity theft protection. Two popular ways are either hiring a company that monitors you credit report and notifies you of any changes or there are companies available that will help you prevent it to begin with. Either type of company can be found online and charge a monthly fee for the service.
The crime of identity theft continues to grow every year, so the ball is in your court to take preventive measures. Be cautious of who you share your personal information with, both online and offline, and implementing these tactics can very well save you the huge time and expense involved with fixing the problem if you become a victim.
Sherry
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September 16, 2010
Protect Yourself From Identity Theft
Russell Longcore asked:
My expertise is in the Risk Management and claims portions of the insurance business. So, I look at nearly every issue as a risk management challenge. And when I consider the risks of identity theft, I must urge you to take some basic precautions.
Identity theft, forgery and fraud are at the highest levels ever. Your finances are at risk like never before. Here are some simple tips that can offer basic protection. All are easy and some cost nothing, yet offer great protection.
1. Order new checks for your checking account and have only your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your checkbook, they will not know your first name. The thief will also not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name, but your bank will know how you sign your checks. Shred the old checks you’re not going to use, and the checks you still have from old bank accounts that you’ve closed…or burn them.
2. If you have a PO Box, use that on your checks instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, you might use your work address. Never have your SS# printed on your checks. Do not have any phone number printed on your checks. You can write it on the check if necessary. If a clerk asks you for your phone number, don’t speak it…write it on the check yourself.
3. Do not sign the back of your credit and debit cards. Instead, write “PHOTO ID REQUIRED.”
4. When you are writing checks to make payment on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the “For” line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the account number, and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check-processing channels will not have access to it.
5. When you pay your bills, don’t place them in your mailbox with the little red flag up. That’s advertising to the world that you’re sending out mail. It takes less than two seconds for a thief to roll up, open your mailbox and remove your mail. Then, he has your checks and your account numbers. When mailing your payments, mail them at the post office.
6. If you receive an email that looks completely legit from anyone that asks you to confirm or change any of your personal financial information or a password, don’t do it online. Call the Customer Service number on their monthly invoices, and verify if they actually requested the new information. Then, if they did, give them what they need. But most of these emails are scam attempts to get your identity info.
7. Place the contents of your wallet on a copy machine. Copy both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all
of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place. Also carry a photocopy of your passport when traveling either here or abroad. We have all heard horror stories about fraud that is committed on people by stealing a name, address, Social Security number, or credit cards. Don’t be that person.
8. Most hotels and motels use card keys for entry to rooms. When you check out of a hotel that uses card keys, do not turn the “keys” in. Take them with you and destroy them. Those little cards hold all of the information you gave the hotel, including address, credit card numbers and expiration dates. Someone with a card reader, or employee of the hotel, can access all that information with no problem whatsoever. If the hotel desk clerk asks for the card keys at time of checkout, only give them back if the clerk will destroy them in front of you.
9. When you’re paying a restaurant check with your credit card, NEVER sign the credit card slip and just leave it on the table. Make sure you hand the credit card slip directly to the waiter or the manager.
10. Buy a document shredder and shred EVERYTHING that you don’t keep in your financial files at home. Also remember that all of those credit card offers you get in the mail have an application with some of your information already printed on the app. Shred them, too.
11. Buy Identity Theft Protection. Learn more at the link shown below.
Here is some critical information to limit the damage in case your wallet is stolen:
1. Cancel your credit cards immediately. The key is having the toll free numbers
and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those credit card company phone numbers where you can find them. Might not be a bad idea to put your credit card company’s Customer Service phone number in your cell phone Address Book. Many credit card companies have a deductible, like $50, on thefts. So, you’d be responsible for the first $50 and they accept the risk for fraudulent purchases above that. But if you cancel quickly enough, the company can cancel the card before purchases start to appear.
2. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is a
first step toward any investigation and verification of any claim.
3. Call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit. There are records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves’ purchases. It seems to stop thieves dead in their tracks.
Here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet and contents being stolen:
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289
Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271
4. Call your homeowner’s insurance company. You may have some coverage available for credit card theft if you purchased an endorsement.
Doing these simple actions will give you good basic protection against identity theft.
Glenn
My expertise is in the Risk Management and claims portions of the insurance business. So, I look at nearly every issue as a risk management challenge. And when I consider the risks of identity theft, I must urge you to take some basic precautions.
Identity theft, forgery and fraud are at the highest levels ever. Your finances are at risk like never before. Here are some simple tips that can offer basic protection. All are easy and some cost nothing, yet offer great protection.
1. Order new checks for your checking account and have only your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your checkbook, they will not know your first name. The thief will also not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name, but your bank will know how you sign your checks. Shred the old checks you’re not going to use, and the checks you still have from old bank accounts that you’ve closed…or burn them.
2. If you have a PO Box, use that on your checks instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, you might use your work address. Never have your SS# printed on your checks. Do not have any phone number printed on your checks. You can write it on the check if necessary. If a clerk asks you for your phone number, don’t speak it…write it on the check yourself.
3. Do not sign the back of your credit and debit cards. Instead, write “PHOTO ID REQUIRED.”
4. When you are writing checks to make payment on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the “For” line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the account number, and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check-processing channels will not have access to it.
5. When you pay your bills, don’t place them in your mailbox with the little red flag up. That’s advertising to the world that you’re sending out mail. It takes less than two seconds for a thief to roll up, open your mailbox and remove your mail. Then, he has your checks and your account numbers. When mailing your payments, mail them at the post office.
6. If you receive an email that looks completely legit from anyone that asks you to confirm or change any of your personal financial information or a password, don’t do it online. Call the Customer Service number on their monthly invoices, and verify if they actually requested the new information. Then, if they did, give them what they need. But most of these emails are scam attempts to get your identity info.
7. Place the contents of your wallet on a copy machine. Copy both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all
of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place. Also carry a photocopy of your passport when traveling either here or abroad. We have all heard horror stories about fraud that is committed on people by stealing a name, address, Social Security number, or credit cards. Don’t be that person.
8. Most hotels and motels use card keys for entry to rooms. When you check out of a hotel that uses card keys, do not turn the “keys” in. Take them with you and destroy them. Those little cards hold all of the information you gave the hotel, including address, credit card numbers and expiration dates. Someone with a card reader, or employee of the hotel, can access all that information with no problem whatsoever. If the hotel desk clerk asks for the card keys at time of checkout, only give them back if the clerk will destroy them in front of you.
9. When you’re paying a restaurant check with your credit card, NEVER sign the credit card slip and just leave it on the table. Make sure you hand the credit card slip directly to the waiter or the manager.
10. Buy a document shredder and shred EVERYTHING that you don’t keep in your financial files at home. Also remember that all of those credit card offers you get in the mail have an application with some of your information already printed on the app. Shred them, too.
11. Buy Identity Theft Protection. Learn more at the link shown below.
Here is some critical information to limit the damage in case your wallet is stolen:
1. Cancel your credit cards immediately. The key is having the toll free numbers
and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those credit card company phone numbers where you can find them. Might not be a bad idea to put your credit card company’s Customer Service phone number in your cell phone Address Book. Many credit card companies have a deductible, like $50, on thefts. So, you’d be responsible for the first $50 and they accept the risk for fraudulent purchases above that. But if you cancel quickly enough, the company can cancel the card before purchases start to appear.
2. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is a
first step toward any investigation and verification of any claim.
3. Call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit. There are records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves’ purchases. It seems to stop thieves dead in their tracks.
Here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet and contents being stolen:
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289
Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271
4. Call your homeowner’s insurance company. You may have some coverage available for credit card theft if you purchased an endorsement.
Doing these simple actions will give you good basic protection against identity theft.
Glenn
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September 7, 2010
Identity Theft Insurance – Feeling Safe and Secure
Benedict Perez asked:
It is really a hassle and a big problem if suddenly you realized that somebody is using credit card, leaving you in a big amount of debt. It is stressing to know that there is someone out there who knows your personal information and is using them for their personal gain. These are just examples of what has known to be the widespread crime all over the United States of America – identity theft. According to statistics, out of 23 Americans, 1 is victimized by identity theft, roughly 10 million annually. With the alarming rate of such cases, identity theft insurance was established to provide protection against such fraud.
You can never tell when you will be a victim. So, it is essential that you are taking precautionary actions and plans to keep you secured all the times. Whenever you are a victim of identity theft, it is not just about the money that you are going to pay. You can also be a victim of the court system. Creditors from banks will definitely prosecute you because the accounts are under your name. They will hold you responsible and will demand you to pay for it. And because court processes takes a very long time, only a few had come to court and fight for their identity. It leaves you powerless and end up paying with the charges you have not made.
With these issues, there are several companies offering identity theft insurance. Availing of its policies can give you a peace of mind that your identity is secured from fraud. It provides you financial stability as it protects your sensitive information. These insurances can cover your expenses for the recovery of your financial identity and the direct monetary losses.
There are several companies who offer such policies and protection. Choose well. Study first their policies before availing it. Know their coverage and limitations then select the appropriate plan for you.
There are companies that do not include the direct monetary loss and your expenses while processing your identity financial retrieval. These are the phone calls, salary loss due to work leave and expenses on the production and duplication of important documents and papers. Some coverage are only limited to $100 to $250, $1,000 being the highest.
Some offers legal fee coverage, though really not necessary. All you need is time to deal creditors which can be annoying and hassle sometimes. Keep in mind also that an identity theft crime done by relatives is not covered in insurances. That is one bad news for policy holders.
Having insurance is great, but still, the best way to protect yourself from identity fraud is simply being careful with your personal information. You are responsible for them. Do not give out your Social Security Number to anyone or even to customer service representatives over the phone. When making a payment, it is safer to do it online rather than dictating information to telemarketers who might just be writing down your credit card details on a piece of paper for their keep sake. When filling up documents, make sure to shred any scratch papers that have your personal details. Lastly, you can also check your credit report quarterly from the leading credit bureaus in the country.
Joe
It is really a hassle and a big problem if suddenly you realized that somebody is using credit card, leaving you in a big amount of debt. It is stressing to know that there is someone out there who knows your personal information and is using them for their personal gain. These are just examples of what has known to be the widespread crime all over the United States of America – identity theft. According to statistics, out of 23 Americans, 1 is victimized by identity theft, roughly 10 million annually. With the alarming rate of such cases, identity theft insurance was established to provide protection against such fraud.
You can never tell when you will be a victim. So, it is essential that you are taking precautionary actions and plans to keep you secured all the times. Whenever you are a victim of identity theft, it is not just about the money that you are going to pay. You can also be a victim of the court system. Creditors from banks will definitely prosecute you because the accounts are under your name. They will hold you responsible and will demand you to pay for it. And because court processes takes a very long time, only a few had come to court and fight for their identity. It leaves you powerless and end up paying with the charges you have not made.
With these issues, there are several companies offering identity theft insurance. Availing of its policies can give you a peace of mind that your identity is secured from fraud. It provides you financial stability as it protects your sensitive information. These insurances can cover your expenses for the recovery of your financial identity and the direct monetary losses.
There are several companies who offer such policies and protection. Choose well. Study first their policies before availing it. Know their coverage and limitations then select the appropriate plan for you.
There are companies that do not include the direct monetary loss and your expenses while processing your identity financial retrieval. These are the phone calls, salary loss due to work leave and expenses on the production and duplication of important documents and papers. Some coverage are only limited to $100 to $250, $1,000 being the highest.
Some offers legal fee coverage, though really not necessary. All you need is time to deal creditors which can be annoying and hassle sometimes. Keep in mind also that an identity theft crime done by relatives is not covered in insurances. That is one bad news for policy holders.
Having insurance is great, but still, the best way to protect yourself from identity fraud is simply being careful with your personal information. You are responsible for them. Do not give out your Social Security Number to anyone or even to customer service representatives over the phone. When making a payment, it is safer to do it online rather than dictating information to telemarketers who might just be writing down your credit card details on a piece of paper for their keep sake. When filling up documents, make sure to shred any scratch papers that have your personal details. Lastly, you can also check your credit report quarterly from the leading credit bureaus in the country.
Joe
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September 4, 2010
Identity Protection – Theft Prevention
Ryan J. Taylor asked:
Identity theft is rampant and destroying millions of people’s lives. You need identity protection, theft prevention and anything to reduce the chances of getting your personal information stolen.
I.D. theft has always been a problem, but it’s no longer about dumpster divers or people changing your mailing address. Now employees at your job can access your Social Security number and hackers can see everything on your personal hard drive. As the internet grows and becomes available across the world, someone from Nigeria can take a peak at your bank account.
It is essential that you protect your identity. The average American that faces identity theft spends 440 hours trying to restore their credit, finances and other issues that can occur.
There are a number of things you can do right now to protect yourself and prevent identity theft. Such as:
Shred your documents Install a firewall, antivirus, and spyware removal software on your computer Stop junk mail Only use your Social Security number when necessary
These basic steps will help, but there is more you need to do than just the basics in today’s wired world. You need to monitor your credit report, reduce the risks of security breaches and watch who is accessing your personal information on a daily basis.
You can mostly do this for free, but you can save yourself a lot of trouble by spending a just few dollars a month for a service that will completely protect you. These services are well worth the money just for their guarantees alone. If for any reason someone steal your identity, they will do whatever it takes to restore your personal information and claim any loses you may have incurred.
That means they’ll deal with filing police reports, they’ll deal with the lawyers, they’ll cancel your credit cards and get new accounts created for you. These services will save you frustration, time and money, and will allow you to peacefully shop online and go about your life without any worries.
Marion
Identity theft is rampant and destroying millions of people’s lives. You need identity protection, theft prevention and anything to reduce the chances of getting your personal information stolen.
I.D. theft has always been a problem, but it’s no longer about dumpster divers or people changing your mailing address. Now employees at your job can access your Social Security number and hackers can see everything on your personal hard drive. As the internet grows and becomes available across the world, someone from Nigeria can take a peak at your bank account.
It is essential that you protect your identity. The average American that faces identity theft spends 440 hours trying to restore their credit, finances and other issues that can occur.
There are a number of things you can do right now to protect yourself and prevent identity theft. Such as:
Shred your documents Install a firewall, antivirus, and spyware removal software on your computer Stop junk mail Only use your Social Security number when necessary
These basic steps will help, but there is more you need to do than just the basics in today’s wired world. You need to monitor your credit report, reduce the risks of security breaches and watch who is accessing your personal information on a daily basis.
You can mostly do this for free, but you can save yourself a lot of trouble by spending a just few dollars a month for a service that will completely protect you. These services are well worth the money just for their guarantees alone. If for any reason someone steal your identity, they will do whatever it takes to restore your personal information and claim any loses you may have incurred.
That means they’ll deal with filing police reports, they’ll deal with the lawyers, they’ll cancel your credit cards and get new accounts created for you. These services will save you frustration, time and money, and will allow you to peacefully shop online and go about your life without any worries.
Marion
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September 3, 2010
Omniscout Introduces Portable Theft-Prevention Devices
Anthony Fontanelle asked:
With the cases of cars and motorcycles being stolen each year steadily growing, the need for anti-theft devices is also growing. To address this demand, Omniscout has recently introduced to the public their newest monitoring and tracking devices.
The division of WorldScout Corporation which is based in Phoenix, Arizona launched two models of tracking devices at the V-Twin Expo held in Cincinnati, Ohio. The company has developed the most sophisticated and most effective devices of its kind. They call the devices the Omniscout Portable and the Portable Pro. And they are calling them such for good reasons – both devices are as small and lightweight as a cell phone, hence the name. The size of these devices allows them to be easily concealed in a vehicle or even by a person.
The device is so accurate that the person or vehicle carrying it can be located precisely within a few meters. Both the devices are a combination of two technologies which make them the most advanced gadget of their kind. They employ the Global Positioning System or GPS to broadcast their current location. They also make use of GSM/GPRS wireless communication networks. The latter technology employed by the two devices allows them to receive commands with the use of the international wireless networks. So, both devices not only look like a cell phone in size but also employ the same technology. The use of the two technologies in the development of a hybrid device will no doubt be welcomed by motoring enthusiasts who wants that extra protection for their cars or motorcycles.
While the devices can be used on cars, the developers of the gadgets focus on the application of it on motorcycles. “Motorcycle enthusiasts make significant investments in their bikes, from specialized chrome accessories, unique paint jobs to upgraded parts, which can cost in the tens of thousand of dollars,” Robert Metz, President of WorldScout Corporation stated. “The Omniscout Portable and Portable Pro give users an added degree of comfort because the system will immediately alert and notify the owner if it is being stolen or even moved without authorization,” Metz further added about the devices. Other vehicles that can use the devices as a safeguard are motor homes, snowmobiles, watercrafts, all-terrain vehicles and sports boats.
The devices from Omniscout are the most sophisticated of their kind because of the fact that they are very much unlike other devices of their kind. The Omniscout Portable and the Portable Pro does not suffer from limitations that other devices using GPS technology demonstrates. This is thanks to WorldScout’s one of a kind Adaptive Assisted Global Positioning System. Similar devices can only be located by satellite signal if there is a clear view to the sky. But thanks to the AAGP employed by the Omniscout Portable and Portable Pro, GPS satellites can locate the device even without a clear view of the sky. In fact, the device can be detected with an accuracy of up to a few meters even if the device is inside a building.
Both the devices give information to the owner like the exact location of the vehicle, real time tracking, street level mapping, and cellular connectivity. Unlike other theft prevention devices which are passive, these devices allow remote controlling of the vehicles equipped with it. This capability makes these gadgets so effective in theft protection. The effectiveness of these devices is akin to the braking effectiveness of EBC rotors and calipers. With the advent of technology, its only a matter of time before we see a whole new wave of products such as these that will help protect investments made by motorists on their vehicles.
Beatrice
With the cases of cars and motorcycles being stolen each year steadily growing, the need for anti-theft devices is also growing. To address this demand, Omniscout has recently introduced to the public their newest monitoring and tracking devices.
The division of WorldScout Corporation which is based in Phoenix, Arizona launched two models of tracking devices at the V-Twin Expo held in Cincinnati, Ohio. The company has developed the most sophisticated and most effective devices of its kind. They call the devices the Omniscout Portable and the Portable Pro. And they are calling them such for good reasons – both devices are as small and lightweight as a cell phone, hence the name. The size of these devices allows them to be easily concealed in a vehicle or even by a person.
The device is so accurate that the person or vehicle carrying it can be located precisely within a few meters. Both the devices are a combination of two technologies which make them the most advanced gadget of their kind. They employ the Global Positioning System or GPS to broadcast their current location. They also make use of GSM/GPRS wireless communication networks. The latter technology employed by the two devices allows them to receive commands with the use of the international wireless networks. So, both devices not only look like a cell phone in size but also employ the same technology. The use of the two technologies in the development of a hybrid device will no doubt be welcomed by motoring enthusiasts who wants that extra protection for their cars or motorcycles.
While the devices can be used on cars, the developers of the gadgets focus on the application of it on motorcycles. “Motorcycle enthusiasts make significant investments in their bikes, from specialized chrome accessories, unique paint jobs to upgraded parts, which can cost in the tens of thousand of dollars,” Robert Metz, President of WorldScout Corporation stated. “The Omniscout Portable and Portable Pro give users an added degree of comfort because the system will immediately alert and notify the owner if it is being stolen or even moved without authorization,” Metz further added about the devices. Other vehicles that can use the devices as a safeguard are motor homes, snowmobiles, watercrafts, all-terrain vehicles and sports boats.
The devices from Omniscout are the most sophisticated of their kind because of the fact that they are very much unlike other devices of their kind. The Omniscout Portable and the Portable Pro does not suffer from limitations that other devices using GPS technology demonstrates. This is thanks to WorldScout’s one of a kind Adaptive Assisted Global Positioning System. Similar devices can only be located by satellite signal if there is a clear view to the sky. But thanks to the AAGP employed by the Omniscout Portable and Portable Pro, GPS satellites can locate the device even without a clear view of the sky. In fact, the device can be detected with an accuracy of up to a few meters even if the device is inside a building.
Both the devices give information to the owner like the exact location of the vehicle, real time tracking, street level mapping, and cellular connectivity. Unlike other theft prevention devices which are passive, these devices allow remote controlling of the vehicles equipped with it. This capability makes these gadgets so effective in theft protection. The effectiveness of these devices is akin to the braking effectiveness of EBC rotors and calipers. With the advent of technology, its only a matter of time before we see a whole new wave of products such as these that will help protect investments made by motorists on their vehicles.
Beatrice
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September 1, 2010
Identity Theft Over The Internet
Chet Holcomb asked:
Having someone steal your identity seem to be the stuff that science fiction books and movies have on their convoluted plots. But that was before… before the rise of technological advancement, before the creation of the world wide web.
Now, identity theft is no longer a dream for some hackers and internet con artists. One can even say that with their techniques and expertise, it will be like taking candy from a baby… yet this time, it involves more than sweets. Life is at stake, personal and social life.
How can someone steal your identity? By assuming your name, Social Security number, credit card number, or some other piece of your personal information for their own use. In short, identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information without your knowledge to commit fraud or theft.
They open a new credit card account, using your name, date of birth, and Social Security number. When they use the credit card and don’t pay the bills, the delinquent account is reported on your credit report. They call your credit card issuer and, pretending to be you, change the mailing address on your credit card account.
Then, your imposter incur charges on your account in your name and have the bills sent to the new address. This is why most people may not immediately realize that their is a problem. They establish cellular phone service in your name.They open a bank account in your name and write bad checks on that account.
How Easy is it to Get Personal Information?
The amount of information available on the Internet about you and those you know is almost unbelievable. Various companies offer services that provide address, criminal, civil, and professional history as well as a list of assets and bank account numbers. Also available are the Social Security number, last six addresses, current phone number as well as names and phone numbers of neighbors. Some large, prestigious companies offering such information include Lexis-Nexis and West Publishing Company.
Many smaller companies also provide similar services.
This research used to take days. Today, this information is available in minutes with only a few click of your mouse. Here are economical products that can help uncover personal details you thought were strictly private.
Identity theft involves someone using key pieces of your identifying information in order to impersonate you. The usual purpose is to acquire goods or services in your name through the use of credit or debit cards. The U.S. Postal Service calls it the “one of the fastest growing robbery crimes in America.”
By one industry estimate, more than 1,000 people a day in the United States fall victim to crimes of stolen identity. In 1997 the U.S. Secret Service make 9,455 arrests involving identify fraud. According to the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse there are over 400,000 thefts of identity each year with that result in more than $2 Billion worth of annual losses for the country. Identity theft is expanding at a rate of 50% per year.
Jay
Having someone steal your identity seem to be the stuff that science fiction books and movies have on their convoluted plots. But that was before… before the rise of technological advancement, before the creation of the world wide web.
Now, identity theft is no longer a dream for some hackers and internet con artists. One can even say that with their techniques and expertise, it will be like taking candy from a baby… yet this time, it involves more than sweets. Life is at stake, personal and social life.
How can someone steal your identity? By assuming your name, Social Security number, credit card number, or some other piece of your personal information for their own use. In short, identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information without your knowledge to commit fraud or theft.
They open a new credit card account, using your name, date of birth, and Social Security number. When they use the credit card and don’t pay the bills, the delinquent account is reported on your credit report. They call your credit card issuer and, pretending to be you, change the mailing address on your credit card account.
Then, your imposter incur charges on your account in your name and have the bills sent to the new address. This is why most people may not immediately realize that their is a problem. They establish cellular phone service in your name.They open a bank account in your name and write bad checks on that account.
How Easy is it to Get Personal Information?
The amount of information available on the Internet about you and those you know is almost unbelievable. Various companies offer services that provide address, criminal, civil, and professional history as well as a list of assets and bank account numbers. Also available are the Social Security number, last six addresses, current phone number as well as names and phone numbers of neighbors. Some large, prestigious companies offering such information include Lexis-Nexis and West Publishing Company.
Many smaller companies also provide similar services.
This research used to take days. Today, this information is available in minutes with only a few click of your mouse. Here are economical products that can help uncover personal details you thought were strictly private.
Identity theft involves someone using key pieces of your identifying information in order to impersonate you. The usual purpose is to acquire goods or services in your name through the use of credit or debit cards. The U.S. Postal Service calls it the “one of the fastest growing robbery crimes in America.”
By one industry estimate, more than 1,000 people a day in the United States fall victim to crimes of stolen identity. In 1997 the U.S. Secret Service make 9,455 arrests involving identify fraud. According to the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse there are over 400,000 thefts of identity each year with that result in more than $2 Billion worth of annual losses for the country. Identity theft is expanding at a rate of 50% per year.
Jay
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