Thursday, 7 March 2013

How Valuable Are Books On Identity Theft

By Kristen Waller


Books on identity theft are now common these days. However, not everyone really knows how important it is to protect personal information. One should know the importance of protecting personal identity. Many individuals have already been charged for something they did not commit while the real person committing it got off scot free.

Most common stealing targets are financial accounts. Financial information can be found in transactions papers containing account numbers. When acquired, this could be hacked. Password stealing will give another person illegal access to an account. Criminals may even enjoy free shopping using an account made under another name. Charges will be suffered by real owners.

Social security numbers are the next common targets. This is because most transactions require this. Bank accounts used for malicious transactions can be opened using other social security numbers to protect identities of people doing malicious transactions. An illegal alien may steal these numbers also so he could provide it when looking for a job. One will be charged more by the Internal Revenue Service based on income he did not have.

The medical community also suffers from such thefts. Medical insurance information may get stolen. This provides coverage to an individual for his medical procedures. Should the real owner need that procedure, he will be denied since it has been covered already. His records will get tainted with the record of the fake user. Acquiring another life or health insure coverage will not remedy this as records are permanent. Serious investigation is needed for that.

Information on drivers license are also commonly targeted. The Department of Motor Vehicles have issued a book detailing all specs of licenses at all states. This information is being downloaded by criminals to other licenses making them similar with authentic ones. Driving charges can be charged to the real owner when these are done by holders of fake licenses.

The most dangerous threat are those done by criminals who are so nefarious that they do their crimes using other identities. They acquire a driver license with another name and information. They then have their photo in it. Once charged, they leave the identity of the real owner then slip away. When time for investigation comes, cops will be looking for the name of the person on the shown license.

One should be active in protecting anything he has that contains his personal information. Lost IDs should be reported immediately. When one changes address, post have to be redirected. Intercepting posts is the easiest way of stealing information. Keep all passwords private. Do not write them anywhere to help you remember.

The arrival of the Internet has paved way to more sophisticated and complex way of stealing. Information is more vulnerable to countless hackers compared to hard copies. However, one will need Internet access for many transactions. Given this, transactions should be kept secure. This can be done by not sending important personal and financial information such as SSNs and account numbers online. One should check sites first if they are genuine and be aware of phishing. Sites offering encryption of customer information are better choices.

Books on identity theft greatly help one in increasing his protection from different types of information theft. These days, methods being used by criminals are always evolving. Getting armed and updated with knowledge will offer the best protection.




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