Your Laptop is Where Identity Theft Begins
Our computers are the guardians of your digital life and trust to store various personally identifiable information. This information mobility is a convenient luxury and an integral part of everyday life, but it makes it more vulnerable to identity theft. A stolen computer is a solid gold mine for anyone trying to steal an individual’s identity. It is even more important to protect both the computer and its personal or identifiable information. The offender can using social media to voluntarily reveal every detail about yourself
Why would someone steal your computer?
Besides the obvious advantage of storing or selling new hardware, thieves have instant access to information on stolen computers that can be used to steal their identities.
Identity theft is a kind of crime in which an unauthorized person or party obtains personal or financial information such as your name, address, driver’s license, and social security number (SSN). Your credit card and bank statements to assume your identity and make transactions or purchases.
How does it happen? One of the main ways is through stolen personal items. A wallet that is lost or slipped can contain your credit cards, driver’s license, or SSN. In the hands of a thief, these items can be used to make purchases, obtain a home, apply for loans, or open new credit lines.
Personal devices like your cell phone, laptop, or tablet can also be the target. With just one of these devices, an identity thief can access your personal information and important email and financial accounts.
Identity theft and the Internet
Another tool that can be used to steal your identity is the Internet. This means that you should never access your financial accounts on public Wi-Fi networks or make purchases from unreliable websites. If buying a pair of online at half price seems too good to be true, it probably is.
This usually happens via email, instant message, or a bogus website. After your data has been stolen, a theft can hard copy document shredding; thieves threaten to divulge your private information if you do not comply with their demands.
Your data can even be compromised online through absolutely no fault of your own. For example, if hackers breach a company you trust, they can access and use your personal information. Insecurity breaches across the enterprise, millions of people can be affected.
Do you have mail? Please protect it
Check your physical mailbox regularly. Do you know those financial documents?
Get them back on time. You can even get a postal service to preview your mail and manage your packages. If you are leaving town for a while, be sure to save your mail.
Also, NEVER leave paid bills in the mail. If you don’t like paying bills online, please do so at the post office or store. Yes, it can be a hassle, but prevention is better than cure, right?
If you ever find that you have become a victim of identity theft, here is what to do:
.Notify the bank and credit card company of your experience and retain the account that has been tampered with.
