Everybody Wants To Know Your Name in the Information Age
A few years ago I found myself in the middle of a family pet emergency after our cocker spaniel fractured his leg while jumping from a patio to chase a squirrel.
While the vet was administering urgent care, I was left at the front desk providing the necessary information to the clinic staff for their records.
To my surprise, I was asked for my social security number along with other more basic information like my name and address.
Of course I declined to provide it and frankly was quite bothered that the request was made at all.
Welcome to life in the information age where everybody wants to know your name and any other personal information you're willing to provide.
Individual privacy is really a distant memory in today's world of cyber space and technology.
Our digital footprint leaves a trail of personal information behind from daily activities like internet surfing, social media interaction, credit card transactions, cell phone calls and even commuting as your vehicle toll tag is tracked on your drive to the office.
Not as much attention though is given to your personal paper trail that can be an easy low-tech path to follow for those seeking to steal your identity.
We tend to underestimate the amount of confidential information about us on hard copy documents.
While the pursuit of a paperless society is a worthwhile objective, the reality is it will not happen anytime soon.
With identity theft and identity fraud legitimate threats, it is important to do what you can to minimize your risk of becoming a victim.
Here are some practical steps to take immediately.
1.
Mailboxes- They are magnets for identity thieves.
Remove your mail as soon as possible.
If you are mailing something that includes sensitive information, go to a post office or federal mail box.
2.
Purses/wallets- Never carry your social security card with you.
Minimize the number of credit cards you carry as well.
What you do carry, make a copy of each one to keep at home to quickly contact your creditors should your wallet or purse get stolen.
3.
Cars- The information on your car insurance card and registration paperwork can easily be grabbed from the glove box should a thief break in to the car.
Keep them in an envelope in a less obvious place like under the seat or on the backside of the front seat in the storage pouch.
4.
Banks- Stop paper statements all together and use secure online banking.
If you still use paper checks, have your order delivered to the branch bank location and pick them up there.
If you are a senior citizen, stop receiving your social security checks by mail and use direct deposit.
5.
Credit card offers- Opt out of unsolicited credit card offers for 5 years by calling 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688) or got to http://www.
optoutprescreen.
com 6.
Trash- Never throw sensitive documents with private information in the trash.
Use a household paper shredder or contact a certified company that specializes in onsite document shredding.
7.
College Dorms/Roommates- Often identity theft occurs by someone the victim actually knew or even lived with.
Secure important papers where they are not visible or accessible.
8.
Employers- HR Departments store extremely confidential information for payroll and benefits.
Be sure they have a secure information security policy in place where records are locked and accessed only by staff authorized to do so.
9.
Credit report and financial statements- Review your bank and credit card statements closely each month looking for any unauthorized activity.
Order an annual credit report as well.
10.
Places of business- Insist everyone from your doctor to your bank has a policy of safeguarding or destroying your confidential information once they have it.
Ask them what their policy is.
While the vet was administering urgent care, I was left at the front desk providing the necessary information to the clinic staff for their records.
To my surprise, I was asked for my social security number along with other more basic information like my name and address.
Of course I declined to provide it and frankly was quite bothered that the request was made at all.
Welcome to life in the information age where everybody wants to know your name and any other personal information you're willing to provide.
Individual privacy is really a distant memory in today's world of cyber space and technology.
Our digital footprint leaves a trail of personal information behind from daily activities like internet surfing, social media interaction, credit card transactions, cell phone calls and even commuting as your vehicle toll tag is tracked on your drive to the office.
Not as much attention though is given to your personal paper trail that can be an easy low-tech path to follow for those seeking to steal your identity.
We tend to underestimate the amount of confidential information about us on hard copy documents.
While the pursuit of a paperless society is a worthwhile objective, the reality is it will not happen anytime soon.
With identity theft and identity fraud legitimate threats, it is important to do what you can to minimize your risk of becoming a victim.
Here are some practical steps to take immediately.
1.
Mailboxes- They are magnets for identity thieves.
Remove your mail as soon as possible.
If you are mailing something that includes sensitive information, go to a post office or federal mail box.
2.
Purses/wallets- Never carry your social security card with you.
Minimize the number of credit cards you carry as well.
What you do carry, make a copy of each one to keep at home to quickly contact your creditors should your wallet or purse get stolen.
3.
Cars- The information on your car insurance card and registration paperwork can easily be grabbed from the glove box should a thief break in to the car.
Keep them in an envelope in a less obvious place like under the seat or on the backside of the front seat in the storage pouch.
4.
Banks- Stop paper statements all together and use secure online banking.
If you still use paper checks, have your order delivered to the branch bank location and pick them up there.
If you are a senior citizen, stop receiving your social security checks by mail and use direct deposit.
5.
Credit card offers- Opt out of unsolicited credit card offers for 5 years by calling 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688) or got to http://www.
optoutprescreen.
com 6.
Trash- Never throw sensitive documents with private information in the trash.
Use a household paper shredder or contact a certified company that specializes in onsite document shredding.
7.
College Dorms/Roommates- Often identity theft occurs by someone the victim actually knew or even lived with.
Secure important papers where they are not visible or accessible.
8.
Employers- HR Departments store extremely confidential information for payroll and benefits.
Be sure they have a secure information security policy in place where records are locked and accessed only by staff authorized to do so.
9.
Credit report and financial statements- Review your bank and credit card statements closely each month looking for any unauthorized activity.
Order an annual credit report as well.
10.
Places of business- Insist everyone from your doctor to your bank has a policy of safeguarding or destroying your confidential information once they have it.
Ask them what their policy is.
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