GWI Tips for Using the Internet

KEEPING YOUR IDENTITY SAFE

Maybe you heard about it on the news, or know someone who’s had their identity stolen. Identity theft now affects about a half million people each year! What is this crime and how can you protect yourself?

What is Identity Theft?

Identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal information, without your knowledge, to commit fraud or theft. They do this by getting your name, Social Security number, credit card number, or other pieces of personal information.

There are two primary types of identity theft. Account takeover is when a thief acquires and uses your existing credit account information to make purchases. Application fraud is when the thief uses your SSN and other to open new accounts in your name. Often a victim will notice account takeover when they receive their monthly statements. However, application fraud can go undetected for months because the thief uses a different address to which the statements are mailed.

It used to be that stealing wallets was the primary way identity thieves obtained the information they needed. Now their methods can be much more sophisticated, including finding this information on the Internet or by hacking into a company’s databases.

How do I protect myself?

You can reduce the chances that your identity will be stolen over the Internet by following these simple practices:

Never use email to send your SSN or credit card number over the Internet.
When shopping online, use only companies you know and that use security or encryption software to process credit cards. A small padlock in the lower portion of your browser window means the site is secure.
Never use a debit card while shopping on the Net. Instead use a credit card, as you can dispute charges that are not yours.
Never give your SSN, bank account number, or other personal information for any Internet transaction unless absolutely necessary.
Never give out your Internet passwords, and change them often. Memorize your passwords instead of writing them down, and don’t make them obvious.
Check your credit rating twice a year. If it appears that someone may have used one of your accounts, you can place a fraud alert on your credit with the major credit reporting companies.

Here are some great websites for more information on Identity Theft:

Identity Theft Resource Center - http://www.idtheftcenter.org/
Fight Identity Theft - http://www.fightidentitytheft.com/
US Government’s Site - http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/