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Identity theft has continued to menace not only societies in North America but other societies in the whole world. It has taken millions of victims numbering to 9 million in North America alone in 2005. Under its influence, millions, if not billions, of losses have been accrued by identity theft victims which are does not only consist of individuals but even corporations and businesses as well. The numbers are steadily increasing and it's the future of identity theft, considering today's trend, will only mean more victims and more millions of losses incurred.
What's really unfortunate and frustrating about identity theft is the fact that the victims do not even realize that their identity has already been stolen until they receive their credit card statement, a collection agency calls them or they are pulled over for speeding and the scan will show that there are pending warrants waiting to be served to them. By this time, everything will be too late. Majority of identity scams involve fraudulent financial transactions but there are also criminal and medical identity theft.
Most criminals involved in identity theft utilize highly advanced equipments and technologies to steal identities of other people. Most common of these methods include hacking customer or client's databases, phishing, and embedding malwares and spywares in another person's computer. These modern techniques are sometimes mixed with traditional methods-which happen to be the most effective way of stealing identity-like shoulder surfing, credit card thefts, dumpster diving and snatching wallets and handbags.
Despite the success of identity thieves in stealing millions of people's identity, there are actually simple and yet effective ways of protecting yourself against identity theft.
1. Whenever you try to withdraw funds from an ATM machine, you have to look behind your shoulders before you key in your PIN code. This would prevent any shoulder surfer from getting your information while you make your transaction. This is also true when you read sensitive credit card information while on the bus or the train. You have to be very cautious of the eyes that may be spying behind your shoulder.
2. Any documents or communications that contain valuable information about your finances should be properly disposed of. You do not just throw them out of the trash as this could only expose your identity more. Remember, when you throw your trash out of your apartment, it then becomes a public property which anyone could pick up and take home.
3. Keep your antivirus and anti-spyware updated. Do not turn off your computer's firewall and when setting up passwords, do not make it universal and use a combination of letters and numbers. Also, it is important that you only transact online over secure connections.
4. Do not stash your social security card and birth certificate in your wallet. You don't have to bring them everywhere you go. This will only increase the risk of your identity being stolen when somebody else snatches your bag or purse.
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