Identifying your risk of Identity Theft

Did you know?

· It is estimated 9 million Americans have their identity compromised each year.   - Federal Trade Commission 

· A stolen identity can cost you about 6 months of headaches and $6,000, according the the FBI.

·  76% of people do not run an annual credit report, yet monitoring your credit (and accounts) is the single most effective way to detect tampering with your identity.

A world of cyber criminals scheme to compromise your personal information, and use it to create fraudulent accounts.  We risk crossing paths with cyber con artists every day – from ordering tickets online, to mailing a check, to applying for a credit card. 

...fraudulent credit card calls asking for social security information...

.........e-mails posing as your credit card or bank asking you to change your passwords......

..................even gas pumps with illegally placed credit card readers that gather your personal information.

It’s a jungle out there – and it’s hard to know whom to trust. 

For the greater good of your credit, your sanity, and your livelihood -

take a look at tips to avoid identity theft traps:

• Be cautious about information you share on Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites.

• Passwords: the more random and difficult – the better.  Putting the same password on all your important accounts can be dangerous. Using odd number-letter combinations is a great way to create strong passwords.

• Don’t keep a digital log of your important information.  Hackers have virus’s capable of going into your computer and pulling out these documents.  The safest place for account numbers, passwords and your social security number are in your internal computer – your mind.

• Set banking alerts – setting these up on your bank account will allow you to monitor when a charge has been made. This could be the fastest way you are alerted to identity theft.

• Get your free credit report annually- the best way to catch suspicious activity.

• Be cautious of all your email.  Hackers disguise emails to look as though they are coming from your bank, etc. Professionals recommend accessing your accounts via your browser, and not clicking the links located in emails. Never reply to an email with your social security number or password.  When in doubt, try Google-ing any suspicious e-mail addresses.

• Only make purchases on trusted sites.  PayPal is often used as a trusted exchange process.  Many sites have this option; however, when in doubt- look for the small padlock icon in the bottom right hand corner of your browser.

• Leave unnecessary credit cards, social security card, birth certificate and passports at home. If your wallet gets stollen, or lost, you will be grateful to have the minimum amounts of phone calls to make and accounts to close. Getting a new social security card is NOT fun!

• Get into the habit of checking your bank statements for charges that do not look familiar. If you notice anything that does not seem right, call your bank immediately. Consider buying a secure mailbox which keeps your bills and payments under lock and key. When ordering new checks some recommend arranging to pick them up at the bank.

 And trust your instincts.  If it looks promising but unlikely, tread carefully. 

Contact a Miller’s Insurance Consultant directly for more information on adding Identity Theft coverage to your homeowners or renters policy. 

Further reading:

Cyber Security Tips from the US Computer Emergency Readiness Team