| Once again, there have been more instances of | | | | main credit reporting agencies, Equifax, Experian, |
| Identity Theft, as a result of unsecured networks, | | | | or TransUnion. They've also partnered together |
| greedy employees and contractors, and lost or | | | | and created a website, where you can request a |
| stolen laptops. More people have had their | | | | free credit report once a year. You may see a lot |
| personal information compromised, and now | | | | of companies offering services to monitor your |
| currently live in the possibility that someone out | | | | credit, or keep a watchful eye on your personal |
| there is using their identity for illegal activities, such | | | | information. Before you sign up for this, make |
| as immigration, money fraud, or even medical | | | | sure you do your research on which company is |
| fraud. Some of the people affected don't even | | | | to be trusted. The last thing you want to happen |
| know that their information has fallen into the | | | | is to have your identity stolen while trying to |
| wrong hands. Others may have received a letter | | | | keep an eye on it. |
| from some institution alerting them to the fact | | | | Another step you can take is to set up an alert |
| that their identities may have been compromised. | | | | based on a company you use, such as your bank, |
| How aware of these events are you? Are you | | | | or investment company or University, and every |
| watching the news, or reading the newspaper or | | | | time that company is mentioned, you will receive |
| learning about it on a website on the Internet? Do | | | | an email notifying you. Google allows for this to be |
| you pay attention to Identity Theft, even though | | | | possible by their alert system found here: For |
| it may have not happened to you yet? Or are | | | | example, you can set up an alert for your bank |
| you just know paying attention to the | | | | "BANK NAME" and anytime that they appear in |
| overwhelming breaches because you just had a | | | | the news, you will receive a notification with a link |
| bad experience due to someone actually getting | | | | about the news article, and from there you can |
| your personal information? If it has happened to | | | | read the article to see if a breach has occurred. |
| you, then of course your awareness is already | | | | As you set these up, you will learn more and |
| raised, but if it hasn't yet, you may want to pay | | | | more what terms you are looking for, and what |
| attention to what's going on in the world. | | | | terms you may not want to use. |
| There are services out there that can monitor | | | | Again, you must be vigilant when keeping an eye |
| the use of your personal information. The first | | | | on your Identity. Do everything you can to make |
| and perfect example is to talk to one of the 3 | | | | sure no one else takes advantage of it. |