| There is no denying that identity fraud is on the | | | | to the merchant directly. |
| rise. It has been estimated that over 10 million | | | | Make sure you see a little lock somewhere on the |
| Americans have been affected in some way by | | | | bottom of the screen when you are making an |
| having their identities stolen. So how does it | | | | internet purchase. This implies that the vendor is |
| happen, and how can you avoid it in the first | | | | utilizing some type of secure data transmission |
| place? | | | | which makes it very difficult, but note not |
| Your private information is not so private. In fact, | | | | impossible, for someone to get your private |
| unless you take active steps to protect your | | | | information. |
| identity, someone determined to obtain your | | | | You need to be aware that websites that you |
| confidential information can probably get a hold of | | | | frequent may be duplicated by unscrupulous |
| it. Let's look at some ways your information is | | | | individuals. These sites may look virtually identical |
| obtained, and how you can do a better job of | | | | to the site you want to be at, but it is in fact an |
| keeping it to yourself. | | | | imposter site. Be sure the site contains "http" in |
| Be Aware that Today's Thieves are | | | | the url, and that there is that little lock mentioned |
| Computer-Savvy | | | | somewhere on the bottom of the screen. |
| While there are still many that will go "dumpster | | | | Be sure to shred any and all bills, receipts, credit |
| diving" to get to your private, information, the | | | | card charges, etc. that you are not going to be |
| fact is that many of today's thieves are | | | | filing. "Dumpster diving" is still carried on today, and |
| computer savvy. What does this mean to you? It | | | | this remains a source of potential concern with |
| means they can occasionally intercept internet | | | | regard to letting your sensitive data "loose". |
| transactions. It means they will do whatever it | | | | It is certainly tedious to have to shred |
| takes, including posing as phony landlords, to | | | | documents, look for little locks on a website, and |
| obtain a copy of your credit report. It also means | | | | be fairly certain you're making internet purchases |
| they buy and sell sensitive data from other | | | | from reliable vendors. But in the long run, it just |
| "black-market internet criminals", in order to gain | | | | may help you prevent identity fraud. And that is |
| access to your confidential data. | | | | certainly worth your time and effort. A little |
| So what can you do about it? | | | | prevention now just may mean the difference |
| Only make purchases on the internet from | | | | between keeping your good name safe, vs |
| respectable, reputable merchants. Consider using | | | | spending 300 hours trying to clear up identity |
| Paypal instead of giving your credit card number | | | | theft problems. |