Author: Mike White
I\'m sure you\'ll all be pleased to know that even during these times of the credit crunch there is still one industry enjoying a growth period, unfortunately, it\'s Identity Theft ... the easiest way for fraudsters to blight your life and stress you still further!
So how do you overcome the potential vagaries of Identity theft and what is it. Identity theft is not just somebody copying your dress sense or sense of style, identity theft is something far more sinister and involves the theft of your very existence right down to banking details, credit cards and even your medical history.
Many people are blissfully unaware of how simple it is to get somebody else\'s personal information without too much effort. It is probably far too easy for example do you shred you paperwork or destroy expired credit cards?
Well that\'s just common sense isn\'t it?, but do you also shred all the promotional bumf, special offer balance transfer rates, why not have one of our wonderful credit card pamphlets et al, all of which have your name and address printed on them?
You don\'t care about that, you bank online, BIG DEAL you\'re just as much at risk as someone who throws all the junk mail post in the bin if you are not protective of your online presence. For example do you use the same password for all your banking? Well yes, how many of us can remember all the passwords needed without breaking the terms and conditions of paragraph 8 subsection 5 which states \"do not write down your password\".
Is your antivirus updated regularly, do you always download the updates as they come in, will LATER be soon enough, or will it be too late? When you upgrade your computer systems, a new laptop for Xmas a bargain in the sales or maybe an online auction purchase, how do you dispose of your old system, in particular your hard drive?
You need to take sensible precaution when disposing of old or unused computers and laptops (or hard drives). Selling them on one of the many auction sites may earn yourself a little extra pocket money, but are you aware that even if you have formatted the drive you have just given away all your personal data. Hard drive recovery experts are only limited to professional companies, the criminal element have access to this capability as well.
If you are concerned with digital theft or the possibility of identity theft then you can arranged to have your drive shredded by a certified contractor or securely wiped which is much more environmentally friendly as it allows for the re-use of the none data holding components. Secure destruction or wiping ensures you get a certificate showing when, where and by whom the drive was rendered beyond recovery and have peace of mind.
About the author: Mike White is a technology journalist specialising in business IT services and support, Raid Data Recovery, Raid Recovery consumer electronics and design and technology trends.
A former Marine who allegedly stole his brother's identity, then worked at Naval Hospital under this stolen identity for 14 months, then attempted to fake the death of his stolen identity and collect a large inheritance, will return to Guam to face a slew of charges in federal court.
Read more...LOS ALTOS, CA--(Marketwire - 09/07/10) - ThreatMetrix, the fastest-growing provider of fraud prevention solutions that do not require personally identifiable information (PII), today announced that Reed Taussig, president and CEO, ThreatMetrix, will present at the September 15 Information Security Media Group (ISMG) webinar "Fight Back Against Fraud: Strategies on How to Meet the Multi-Channel ...
Read more...The mystery of a second body found in a South Daytona neighborhood could be solved as early as Tuesday.
Read more...Sunday people got the chance to protect themselves from identity theft by shredding their personal information.
Read more...ALBANY The initial results of the state Department of Motor Vehicles’ use of facial recognition technology to identify fraud cases, which began last February, has been instrumental in identifying more than 1,000 cases of possible fraud, according to state officials.
Read more...ALBANY The initial results of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles’ use of facial recognition technology to identify fraud cases, which began last February, has been instrumental in identifying more than 1,000 cases of possible fraud, according to state officials.
Read more...Moorpark police officials are warning residents and shoppers in Moorpark about an increase in identify theft through credit card fraud.
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