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Identity theft - Data theft
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 2006-12-08 10:50 AM |
 Philadelphia, south of New York and north of DC |  Subject: Identity theft - Data theftGiven my recent experience with being robbed, I've been thinking more about how to protect myself from identity theft and from data theft (all in all, things could have been much worse, but putting bank accounts, drivers license, and cell phone back in order has been a major headache) So what solutions do you use for protecting yourself against this kind of theft? |
| 2006-12-08 10:53 AM in reply to: #619494 |
| over a barrier | Subject: RE: Identity theft - Data theft I would request your credit report every couple of months. Since it shows all open credit cards and lines of credit you have...you can quickly identify something that isn't yours... |
| 2006-12-08 11:00 AM in reply to: #619494 |
Elite  2493   Chicago, IL | Subject: RE: Identity theft - Data theft one thing that is recommended for buying online is to have and use only one credit card for on-line buying and always keep it at a low credit limit. Edited by pigfinn 2006-12-08 11:00 AM |
| 2006-12-08 11:02 AM in reply to: #619494 |
Pro 4206 Los Angeles, CA | Subject: RE: Identity theft - Data theft For me, I do everything online, everything, CC, utilities, etc. so no papers with accounts # or anything in the mail. They just email when the statement is ready. But make sure it's 128 bit SSL encryption which most major account sites are. Cell phone is always locked. Meaning, everytime I open it, I have to punch in a 4 digit number. I only carry one credit card, which of course, is protected from unauthorized purchases because it's mastercard/visa. Also, my ATM has the same symbols for the same protection. I don't do the credit check except once a year. However, like posted above, all the major credit services have monitoring. Equifax has a 3 in 1 credit check monitoring service. https://www.econsumer.equifax.com/consumer/sitepage.ehtml?forward=cs... Edited by auto208562 2006-12-08 11:03 AM |
| 2006-12-08 11:03 AM in reply to: #619499 |
Expert 1274 Houston, TX | Subject: RE: Identity theft - Data theft running2far - 2006-12-08 10:53 AM I would request your credit report every couple of months. Since it shows all open credit cards and lines of credit you have...you can quickly identify something that isn't yours... Funny that you said that. The girl in the cube next to me has been on the phone all morning with Equifax because she pulled her credit report just to check on it and they showed an alias that was not her with a bunch of debt and it dropped her credit score over 200 points. This is good advice to check it out from time to time! |
| 2006-12-08 11:03 AM in reply to: #619494 |
Runner | Subject: RE: Identity theft - Data theft Only carry one credit and one debit / bank card. In terms of phones, I keep stored numbers to a bare minimum. I also don't keep photos or any of that with me (either digital or physical). Other than that, I don't really carry much on my person. Oh, and if they got your keys, and your license, I would change the locks on your doors. I've had to do that once when my wife lost her purse. As for electronic identity theft..... I only ever pay for things online with a trusted site. I know one good way to buy online is to use a credit card specifically for that purpose, and keep the limit low. If you're concerned about someone gaining access to your computer, that's a whole different issue. If the person really wants in, they will get in. The trick is to make your system secure enough to keep the casual hackers and scriptkiddies away. Hardware and software firewalls and routers help. So does a decent AV program. Also, disable any service you don't use (not recommended unless you know what you're doing). If you have a high-speed connection, turn off the computer when not in use, or unplug it from the internet connection. Don't go to a bank website that you get through email, even if it's YOUR bank. They won't send you an email asking about your login and such. |
| 2006-12-08 11:13 AM in reply to: #619512 |
Elite 2493 Chicago, IL | Subject: RE: Identity theft - Data theft auto208562 - 2006-12-08 11:02 AM For me, I do everything online, everything, CC, utilities, etc. so no papers with accounts # or anything in the mail. They just email when the statement is ready. But make sure it's 128 bit SSL encryption which most major account sites are. Cell phone is always locked. Meaning, everytime I open it, I have to punch in a 4 digit number. I only carry one credit card, which of course, is protected from unauthorized purchases because it's mastercard/visa. Also, my ATM has the same symbols for the same protection. I don't do the credit check except once a year. However, like posted above, all the major credit services have monitoring. Equifax has a 3 in 1 credit check monitoring service. https://www.econsumer.equifax.com/consumer/sitepage.ehtml?forward=cs... do you pay for this?, it looks like it. I thought there was a safe place to get your credit report for free. |
| 2006-12-08 11:20 AM in reply to: #619530 |
| Philadelphia, south of New York and north of DC | Subject: RE: Identity theft - Data theft Good stuff. I signed up yesterday for a 3 in 1 credit report and fraud protection offered by my credit card bank. 1st month is free, then $12.95 monthly after that. While we're at it, what about email spam protection? Those of you with sites, what do you do so that your email isn't scooped up by some bot? What about username and password changes for sites? Do you change those regularly? |
| 2006-12-08 11:25 AM in reply to: #619494 |
Champion 6962  Atlanta, Ga | Subject: RE: Identity theft - Data theft The gov't has established this website: https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp You can check your credit report once a year at each of the 3 major companies for free. I suggest getting one from each every 4 months. It's free and required. The 3 in 1 thing I've heard isn't really that great. But it's a good basic guard. I use my shredder for everything! I even shred the address off of catalogs I get. I tear of the back page and shred it. I do a majority of my stuff online, but I still like having the internal paper trail. So nothing purely electronic for me. But I highly suggest getting your credit report and checking it out. |
| 2006-12-08 11:25 AM in reply to: #619494 |
Expert 931 Smyrna, GA | Subject: RE: Identity theft - Data theft You can get a free credit report from all 3 agencies here - (and it's really free - not a free 30 day trial membership thing) - |
| 2006-12-08 11:30 AM in reply to: #619494 |
| Subject: RE: Identity theft - Data theft Aside from the electronic issue, get a paper shredder and shred everything, especially the credit card offerings. Re: credit reports, I have read that mulitple credit report pulls actually affect your rating, as it will appear that you are applying for credit more often than you actually are (since the credit co. will pull your report on application). With the new free law, I wonder if that is still the case? Anyone know? |
| 2006-12-08 11:37 AM in reply to: #619530 |
Pro 4206 Los Angeles, CA | Subject: RE: Identity theft - Data theft The monthly service costs money. pigfinn - 2006-12-08 9:13 AM auto208562 - 2006-12-08 11:02 AM For me, I do everything online, everything, CC, utilities, etc. so no papers with accounts # or anything in the mail. They just email when the statement is ready. But make sure it's 128 bit SSL encryption which most major account sites are. Cell phone is always locked. Meaning, everytime I open it, I have to punch in a 4 digit number. I only carry one credit card, which of course, is protected from unauthorized purchases because it's mastercard/visa. Also, my ATM has the same symbols for the same protection. I don't do the credit check except once a year. However, like posted above, all the major credit services have monitoring. Equifax has a 3 in 1 credit check monitoring service. https://www.econsumer.equifax.com/consumer/sitepage.ehtml?forward=cs... do you pay for this?, it looks like it. I thought there was a safe place to get your credit report for free. |
| 2006-12-08 11:39 AM in reply to: #619550 |
Pro 4206 Los Angeles, CA | Subject: RE: Identity theft - Data theft I read it's the opposite. Any credit inquiry by yourself does not affect your credit score. Only inquiries from lenders, etc. I'm not sure about the new law though. ChrisM - 2006-12-08 9:30 AM Aside from the electronic issue, get a paper shredder and shred everything, especially the credit card offerings. Re: credit reports, I have read that mulitple credit report pulls actually affect your rating, as it will appear that you are applying for credit more often than you actually are (since the credit co. will pull your report on application). With the new free law, I wonder if that is still the case? Anyone know? |
| 2006-12-08 11:41 AM in reply to: #619546 |
| Philadelphia, south of New York and north of DC | Subject: RE: Identity theft - Data theft Nice link. Thanks! Opinions on getting on the fraud alert list? I had my driver's license stolen, and we know that there was an attempt to use a credit card at an ATM (still waiting to see if we can get a photo from that transaction) What are the minuses for getting on the fraud alert list? I'll probably be leasing a car and some photo equipment in the next 90 days or so. Edited by dontracy 2006-12-08 11:42 AM |
| 2006-12-08 11:45 AM in reply to: #619494 |
Champion 6962 Atlanta, Ga | Subject: RE: Identity theft - Data theft I believe with fraud alert, you have to call them ahead of time before you can get credit for anything. They basically don't allow any credit lines to be established without contacting you first. Case in point, If you go into get a car, normally, they just run your report and give you the car. Now, you have to either let them know ahead of time, or they call/mail/e-mail you before you're allowed to open up the account. |
| 2006-12-08 11:47 AM in reply to: #619566 |
| Philadelphia, south of New York and north of DC | Subject: RE: Identity theft - Data theft Marvarnett - I believe with fraud alert, you have to call them ahead of time before you can get credit for anything. They basically don't allow any credit lines to be established without contacting you first. That's it? Hmm... seems like a no brainer thing for me to do... |
| 2006-12-08 12:07 PM in reply to: #619494 |
Master 1670 Harvard, Illinois | Subject: RE: Identity theft - Data theft I pay around $10.00 a quarter for TransUnion credit protection. I get an email notification if any new credit has been attempted to be opened in my name. I think it comes with a $25,000 reimbursement policy. TransUnion will dispute anything negative on my credit report. I get to see my credit report every quarter as well. Basically I subscribed to this so that I could know when credit was being opened or attempted to be opened in my name. I have a good credit rating and I don't want it to get damaged by some idiot criminal. |
| 2006-12-08 12:11 PM in reply to: #619494 |
| Pro 4040 | Subject: RE: Identity theft - Data theft Ditto the shredder. I have one of those shredders that cross shreds, so it would be very difficult to re-assemble anything that has been shredded. |
| 2006-12-09 2:35 PM in reply to: #619494 |
Wife, Mother, Friend. 2457 South | Subject: RE: Identity theft - Data theft We're still using paper statements for certain things (only because my hubby is a techno-phobe). A few years ago, after repeated mis-deliveries of mail, we got a post office box. Less to worry about someone taking out our credit card bill which has the numbers on it.... |
| 2006-12-09 11:38 PM in reply to: #619494 |
Pro 4206 Los Angeles, CA | Subject: RE: Identity theft - Data theft Good article from CNN about identity theft and ways to prevent it. http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/cybersecurity/index.html |
 2006-12-10 7:00 AM in reply to: #619568 |
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