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Preventing identity theft and computer related crimes |
The internet is a fabulous place to meet people and
do business but with the options it offers comes the
potential for fraud and victimization. If you listen to
the radio or watch television, you will hear ads for
services which will help prevent you from identity
theft. There are even insurance policies which will
protect you and your assets if someone steals your
identity. These products are great but often times you
can do some simple things to protect yourself: |
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Shred everything that has your name, address social
security number or account numbers. Mix the
shredding in with your compost or used kitty litter.
Identity thieves love paper recycling because it is
a rich place to harvest information to be used for
fraud.
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Obtain free copies of your credit report every year
from the big three. Close any accounts that you no
longer need or use. Remember an open account is an
opportunity for someone else to use it.
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Mark with a sharpie on the back of each Credit/Debit
Card “Check ID Please” which will force most
cashiers to look at your ID thus protecting
yourself.
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Use a strong password on all computer accounts. This
should consist with an upper case, a lower case, a
numeric and a special character if allowed. Base it
on a phrase that you will remember i.e. “I love the
patrol special police 4 everything they do!” Would
be: ‘Iltpsp4etd!’. If you must write them down (i.e.
it is not uncommon for a small business person to
have 20 passwords) purchase a small safe and lock
the list in it.
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Since we are talking about safes, buy a small one
from Office Depot and bolt it to the floor in your
closet, keep spare check books, your will and
anything small and worth stealing in it, but
especially keep any extra ID’s that you might have
(passport, work ID) currently laying around.
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If your wallet is stolen or lost, call your credit
card companies/banks before you call the Police
(unless it was an armed or violent robbery) because
you want those cards frozen ASAP. Odds are that you
will never see any of those wallets contents again
so be prepared to go to DMV. Never keep your Social
Security card in your wallet, if you need it to
apply for a job or whatever then take it with you
and return it to your safe when you are done.
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There is no perfect way to protect yourself when it
comes to identity theft, just remember that it is easier
to make it hard on the crook before they strike than to
recover afterwards.
(Prepared by Officer David Palmer
10-9-09) |
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