Identity theft continues to grow as more and more people utilize the internet and their mobile devices for a majority of their banking and shopping transactions. Web security is more important than ever, and something that is constantly being updated and improved. Identity theft can range from someone using bank account details and credit card numbers in order to make fraudulent purchases to thieves utilizing personal data, such as social security numbers, to open entirely new accounts. This latter type of identity theft can go undetected for longer periods of time and can be incredibly difficult to rectify once it is discovered. There are many credit and identity and credit monitoring services available to help combat the problem. It is always a good idea to regularly monitor one's credit report for any unauthorized or fraudulent activity.
While identity theft is rampant and more prevalent than others, by taking common sense precautions the chance of it happening can be minimized. The first step is to request and review personal credit reports on a regular basis. Most financial insitutions recommend that consumers conduct this review at least two times per year and more if necessary.
Keeping passwords updated on a regular basis is an effective way to combat identity theft. There are programs available that offer a virtual key for all password protected accounts and update them on a regular basis. These services create passwords that are both random and highly secure. This service is not free but many consumers find the cost worth the peace of mind that such programs provide.
Identity thieves can steal credit card offers from the mail and respond to them without the intended recipient's knowledge. In order to curtail the possibility of this happening consumers are able to cancel all pre-approved credit card offers by contacting www.optoutprescreen.com or calling 888-567-8688.
If there is even a suspicion of credit card fraud or identity theft, it is best practice to immediately contact one's credit card company or financial institution. These steps can activate the fraud departments of the company to get started in investigating the situation. The more quickly that identity theft is caught and dealt with, the less damage can occur.
Unfortunately, it is no longer adequate to check monthly statements without checking the account throughout the time-period. Many banks and credit card companies allow their customers to receive immediate notification when their account is used. As these alerts are typically they should utilized whenever offered.
In extreme cases, thieves have been known to use fake personas to receive medical attention or even rent an apartment. There are both rental and medical expense monitoring companies that be engaged to prevent this from happening. These charges will also appear on the credit card monitoring reports but may have a delay in showing up.
Mobile devices are increasing in hacking and theft occurrences and should always be closely guarded. Be particularly vigilant when using public wifi networks as those are often hacked. It is also a good idea to install anti-spyware software onto all devices that are connected to the internet.
By placing a freeze with the credit monitoring services, the opening of any new accounts can be stopped. These freezes create a notification to the consumer that a request for a credit check has been made. Alternatively, many credit agencies will use a dedicated password that will be necessary for any credit inquiries.