We take our own identity for granted. We figure "who in their right mind would like to be me?", we think "with all my problems I am not a candidate for identity theft". To the contrary, those who would take your identity do not put much thought into it, they are looking for a quick score and if the scheme works and they are successful, they gain an open road to misuse your name and information in whatever form suits their criminal needs.
There are a few simple things you can do to keep your identity safe; and although they do not guarantee total safety against identity theft, they add a great layer of protection.
Here are ways to guard your online accounts:
1. Change passwords frequently.
2. Don't use standard name passwords incorporate special characters such as: !@#$%^&*(). Add numbers to your passwords; you can take a regular word and modify it so you can remember it, just keep it S1mPl3 (simple) so you can remember and change them every 4 to 6 months.
3. Review your credit report at least once a year. You can use tools like https://www.annualcreditreport.com/ to do so. This is critical.
4. If you are a PayPal user, click on the following link for tips on staying safe with PayPal http://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=p/gen/fraud-prevention-outside. PayPal is a very security-conscious company and they have put together some comprehensive tools to keep you protected from fraud. Here is a link to a few of those tools: https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=xpt/cps/securitycenter/general/UnderstandIdTheft-outside
5. Make sure all your mail accounts are secure. It is worrisome how many people use their name, birthday or last four digits of their SSN to secure their email accounts. This is unwise as this information is very easy to obtain. Use the standard in tip #2 to help you set a password.
6. There are some amazing services such as Life Lock http://www.lifelock.com/ which provide you peace of mind and reduce junk mail as well as liability to you.
7. Shop online with caution. Be sure you are using a secure site before entering bank or credit card information online. Use site addresses that begin with https rather than just http, and make sure you can find the locked padlock in your browser window.
Just last week I got an email I thought was from Papal and it turned out to be a phishing site. Luckily, I had read this great story by Mike Makler. It saved me from making a big mistake
Anatomy of a PayPal Identity Theft Scam - The 7 Warning Signs
October 4, 2005
PayPal is becoming the online payment processor of choice for many users. PayPal allows virtually anyone to except credit card payments. PayPal is also a great way to send and receive electronic payments. Unfortunate fame has its price and in the case of PayPal that means scam artists preying on the PayPal members
The Most common PayPal Scam Involves E-Mail, You will receive an E-mail from Someone claiming to be PayPal requesting you verify you're Information. That is Warning Sign 1 PayPal will never send you an E-Mail Requesting Your Personal Information
Often this Email will be sent to an E-Mail Address that is not the same one that PayPal has on File. That is Warning Sign 2
The Third Warning Sign is forged Headers (From Address). This is often hard to detect without knowledge of the Internet. Many Spam filters are now setup to block E-mail that has forged headers. Ask your E-mail provider how you can block Forged Headers.
The Fourth Warning Sign is the Greeting says something like Dear PayPal user or PayPal Member. PayPal knows who you are they will use the name you registered with.
The Fifth Warning Sign is the threat. The Email will threaten to suspend your account if you don't take immediate action.
The Sixth Warning Sign is a Non Secure Page. If you do click on the link in the E-Mail you will not be on a secure Page, No Https in the URL and no little Padlock in the lower left hand corner of your browser.
Bad Grammar or Misspelled words in the
If you receive an E-mail from PayPal with even 1 of these warning signs more likely than not it is a scam. Forward the E-Mail to PayPal and ask for assistance if you have any doubts.
Don't let these modern day thieves keep you from go about your everyday life. Life is a risk the key of course is to do all you can to protect yourself and still enjoy life.
About The Author:Mike Makler has been Marketing Online Since 2001 When he Built an Organization of over 100,000 Members
Get Mike's Newsletter:http://ewguru.com/newsletter
Thank you for allowing me to share those critical points with you. I would love nothing more than to never meet another victim of identity theft again. Many more stories will be posted on our blog computerernyc.blogspot.com. Thank you for your time and I hope you found this information useful.
Story by:
Joe Rojas
CEO
