Identity Theft
This section of www.tjicl.org is concerned with the problem of identity theft. There are several informative articles covering several aspects of this particular topic for your information.
To provide an overview of this topic, here is some information that you might find helpful before diving into the more detailed and explanatory articles associated with this section of the website.
What Is Identity Theft?
Identity theft is a thing hat happens when your personal information (for example your name, home address, driver’s license, medical records, Social Security number or even your email address) is stolen and used unlawfully by someone without your knowledge and permission. Identity thieves can often make use of your personal information for financial gain.
They do this by applying for credit cards in your name, opening bank accounts in your name, committing fraud, or selling your information on to other criminals. While it is a generally accepted thing that the internet has made our lives easier, it has also made it that much easier for criminals and fraudsters to obtain to your personal information.
That's why we all need to be aware and remain diligent in protecting ourselves both online as well as in the real world.
Things to Be Aware Of
Always make sure that your computer has updated anti-virus software installed. Failing to stay up-to-date with anti-virus software can leave you open to being targeted.
You can protect your identity by having your anti-virus routinely check for updates. This software can also help prevent keylogging software being maliciously installed on yuor hard drive, making it that much more difficult for anyone to hack into your computer.
For added protection, make it a habit to log out of any account you access on your computer or mobile device after you have finished using it. This includes anywhere you use a username and password for logging in.
While it is naturally more convenient to stay logged in 24/7, it is not very secure and provides criminals with a means of gaining access to your information. Doing little things like making sure you are logged out of any account can give you greater peace of mind. It can also help you stay protected from identity theft.
Make privacy your priority when using social media. Some people want to share every detail of their life on social media, without even thinking about how outwardly public they are being with their own personal information!
Don't be foolish by telling the world where you are or what you're doing at any given time. Remember, local thieves make it their business to know if you're not at home and if they can see you posting about a great meal you're having across town, they'll have a free shot at breaking into your home and stealing not just valuables, but personal information too.
The recommendation is to set your privacy settings to the highest level to be safe from onlookers and eavesdroppers. Also, never share personal information such as your exact birthday (including the year), your address, or even something as innocent as your mother's maiden name!
In all cases, use common sense and think about what you are about to share before you share it!
Related Pages
There are several related article pages on this topic that are listed below. Click whichever page title you wish to read to open it: