Identity theft victims have had their share of taking on the criminals who stole their identities through Citibank's inspired and hilarious commercials. With the victims giving their voices to the crooks with a humorous effect on Citibank's commercials about their Citi Identity Fraud solution service, it has made it easier for the general public to take actions when such a financial calamity occurs.
Because identity theft is one of the fastest growing criminal activities in America, the experts at the New York Police Department (NYPD) detailed the dynamics of the criminal offense, how people can deal with it, and provided some tips about preventing it.
Below are some great tips on what you should and should not do:
Tips to Avoid Identity Theft
- Obtain a free copy of your credit report from any of the 3 credit reporting agencies. It is possible to obtain this yearly from the Equifax, Transunion, and Experian. In case you want an extra copy, you may have to pay a fee.
- Buy a document shredder. They are not will too costly considering using one could save you from bankruptcy. Take advantage of your shredder to destroy old bank statements, credit card receipts, and bills.
- Close inactive bank accounts or credit cards.
- Have your company name deleted from the directories of pre-approved credit lines and telemarketers.
- If your bills don't arrive, make sure you inform the creditor or service provider; most especially if you notice unusual costs on your bank account.
- Secure your laptop or computer by using anti-virus or various other security software programs.
What You Should NOT Do
- Give sensitive information to someone you don't know who contacted you via phone or email.
- Save details such as personal identification number, Social Security number, or security passwords of your accounts in your bag or wallet
- Write your Social Security number on the checks or other things that can easily identify you as the owner.
What If You've Fallen Victim to Identity Fraud?
- Visit the government bodies such as the Federal Bureau of investigation or law enforcement officials and have it added on record that your personal information was stolen
- Explain to the credit reporting agencies that you're placing an alert on the record
- Visit the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) or Federal of Trade and Commission exactly where you can easily report to them regarding your problem. By doing this, they can use the details you've provided to them to help fix the issue.
By being very meticulous, we can easily help not only ourselves but the whole nation from struggling with the hands of these identity burglars which mindlessly don't realize its chain of penalties that vary from individuals to the authorities and to large companies which help drive the economic system.
Identity fraud isn't a flash in the pan – it is already a part of how the world works, and this raises not only the risk but also the damage. Businesses are at particular risk, because by prerequisite, they show their employee's information to other staff members and their partners and providers, and they tolerate responsibility for the threat that this creates.
Those who work in the human resource information system (HRIS), whose particular responsibility is the management of “people data,” should take ownership of this growing liability, and make sure that their businesses are as risk-free and as safe as possible.
