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Identity Theft: Restoring Your Identity Best Prac
December 30, 2009
So, what can you do to take proper precautions in protecting your identity and the identity of your family? Believe me when I say that we are all vulnerable and that if we take a moment to take the following six actions, you will stress less.
For some practical reason or another, social security numbers became our national identifier number. I had always thought that the purpose was to pay funds into a benefit fund, silly me. Your social security number is your identity that creates a credit history file, generates your federal and state tax account, helps establish your bank and credit union accounts, and paves the way to employment. Of course there are a lot more associations connected between you and your social security number: education, insurance, and social services, to name a few. Since from time to time we need to apply for credit, the lender will access your information provided by credit bureaus.
First: I strongly suggest that you contact the three major credit bureaus and place a "freeze" on your account, your children's, and your aging parent's accounts. Establish a security code, a pass code known only to you and the credit bureau. What's the downside? So, when you get pressured into purchasing that new vehicle, you will need to call each bureau to take the freeze off of your account. What's the upside? You may think twice about making a major purchase. Go ahead and error on the side of caution, you just might prevent someone from using your good credit, or your child's credit, or their grandparent's credit. Check your credit bureau reports annually; make corrections and challenge any questionable entry.
Second: Invest in a good criss-cross shredder. Use the shredder to dispose of old records, mailing labels, any correspondence or record that displays your Personal Identifier Information (PII): name, address, phone number, workplace, e-mail address, social security number, student number, medical records, drivers license or vehicle plate number, credit card or customer numbers, etc. Don't make sifting through your trash a profitable prospect!
Third: Don't make it a habit of carrying every identification card, or credit card with you. Keep your credit cards, social security card, passports, birth certificates, and medical records in a safe place in your home. Make copies of all of this information. It will make it easier to reconcile and alert your account holders if you should find that you have lost these identifiers.
Fourth: Be smart when you use on-line services to conduct your business. Make sure that you have protected your computer: use security protection software, don't open e-mails that are not familiar to you, activate a pop-up blocker, minimize the amount of PII you provide in e-mails, use strong passwords protect your accounts, and the access to your personal computer, mobile and remote storage devices.
Fifth: Make sure your snail mail delivery is secure. If you can, install a mail slot through your front door. Or, better yet, rent a post office box. Make sure you are using direct deposit for payroll, social security, and any other payment checks you receive.
Six: Verify your bank and credit card statements. See an entry that doesn't ring a bell? File a dispute.
Managing your identity is your responsibility; stop depending on others to protect you and your family from harm.
Next issue- Computer Security: Policy, Procedures, And Best Practices
Yours in safety and health,
Liz Sanchez, MPS, COO
Blue Diamond Protection LLC
www.bluediamondprotection.com
Blue Diamond Protection LLC • P.O. Box 4552 • Greenwood Village • Colorado • 80155 • 877-670-7676
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