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Identity Theft: Protect Yourself By Being Aware

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The necessity of repeating the mantra "identity theft protect yourself" has become a cruel reality, whether you surf for pleasure or business. Thieves run countless scams designed to steal your personal information, so they can rack up debt in your name and laugh all the way to the bank. However, if you know of the basic scams, you protect yourself from identity theft and keep your personal information secure and safe.

One of the most popular scams is called "phishing" -- pronounced "fishing" -- and that's exactly what it comes down to. Thieves fish for information. Protecting yourself from identity theft means being able to decide when one of these criminals is trying to reel you in to get your personal information.

Usually, "phishing" involves a large number of phony emails sent out, requesting information like your ATM card number or PIN number. The phony email usually warns that your accounts may be suspended if you don't link to a website and supply the information. Having paid attention in English class will help you fight identity theft in this case. Usually, phony emails will have bad grammar and punctuation in at least one place. Being a critical proofreader means that you'll be protecting yourself from identity theft in the case of phishing.

In another scam -- not involving the internet -- a crook may approach you with a story that he or she is a bank employee, and that you've been selected to help in the investigation of a dishonest teller. The person pulling the old "bank examiner scam" tells you that the manager will get in touch with you, and that you will withdraw your own money for the investigation. The story is really about identity theft. Remember that law enforcement would never ask you to use your money for an investigation -- and identity theft protect yourself means turning the cops onto the people who asked you to do so.

Also, never give out personal credit card information to anyone who claims to need information to investigate a fraudulent transaction. Thieves use this con tactic to play on people's fear of losing their identity. Never give out personal information or sensitive data on the phone. There is no harm in hanging up and calling the credit card company at a number you know is legitimate to confirm or denounce any suspicions. Sometimes protecting yourself from identity theft involves simply being leery of phone fraud.