Why do identity thieves do what they do? Is it just for money? Or is there something more?
We all know that when identity thieves strike, they make long-term financial commitments, like taking out mortgages or buying cars, using the victim’s credit history. They also establish, use and abandon dozens of charge accounts without paying. They may even run up huge amounts of debt in the victim’s name, the file for bankruptcy, ruining the victim’s credit history.
But sometimes, money isn’t the motivation. Sometimes thieves may use your identity to threaten national security or commit acts of terrorism. The September 11 hijackers used fake IDs to board their planes. Thieves will also use stolen information to forge military ID cards, posing a potential threat to national security. They steal insurance information in order to secure medical procedures, and pile up traffic tickets. They can also get a passport to bring someone into the country for any number of illegal reasons. And these thieves will also commit felonies using a victim’s identity. Victims of identity theft have been arrested and even jailed for crimes they didn’t commit.
Protect yourself.
Don’t put outgoing mail in curbside mailboxes. Drop off your mail at a post office. Don’t write your account numbers on the outside of an envelope, and have your mail held if you’re going out of town.
When online, make sure any site you do business on is secure. Make sure no one is behind you when you use an ATM machine, or when you input your PIN number in a store. Pay your bills online using only a secure site, and don’t give out your credit card number on the Internet unless it is encrypted on a secure site.
Make sure you examine your credit reports, bank and credit card statements carefully, checking for fraudulent or questionable entries. Shred any documents that you don’t need that contain your personal information. Don’t carry credit cards with you unless you need them. Opt out of pre-approved credit offers.
Store your Social Security card in a safe place. Never carry it in your wallet. Make sure you change your passwords on your computer frequently, and make sure they’re tough to figure out.
Taking these steps will help prevent you from becoming a victim of identity theft. But to make sure you’re safe, sign up with LifeLock for proactive protection today. Receive 30 days free and get a 10 percent discount on enrollment with the LifeLock Promo Code “Defense.”
