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Saturday 9 March 2013

Why Read Books On Identity Theft

By Kristen Waller


Books on identity theft are now common these days. However, not everyone really knows how important it is to protect personal information. One should know the importance of protecting personal identity. Many individuals have already been charged for something they did not commit while the real person committing it got off scot free.

Most common stealing targets are financial accounts. Financial information can be found in transactions papers containing account numbers. When acquired, this could be hacked. Password stealing will give another person illegal access to an account. Criminals may even enjoy free shopping using an account made under another name. Charges will be suffered by real owners.

SSNs are next to the list of commonly stolen information. Most transactions, specially opening of bank accounts, will require them. These numbers can be acquired to create new accounts. These accounts may be used to hide identities of people doing any malicious transaction. He will not get caught by using another name. Some illegal aliens will use these SSNs also. When one is applying for jobs, SSNs are important requirements as taxes are charged through that. Illegal aliens pass another SSN since they certainly could not acquire it. The real person having that number will receive the additional taxes from the IRS for incomes he does not receive.

The medical community also suffers from such thefts. Medical insurance information may get stolen. This provides coverage to an individual for his medical procedures. Should the real owner need that procedure, he will be denied since it has been covered already. His records will get tainted with the record of the fake user. Acquiring another life or health insure coverage will not remedy this as records are permanent. Serious investigation is needed for that.

Information on drivers license are also commonly targeted. The Department of Motor Vehicles have issued a book detailing all specs of licenses at all states. This information is being downloaded by criminals to other licenses making them similar with authentic ones. Driving charges can be charged to the real owner when these are done by holders of fake licenses.

The most dangerous threat are those done by criminals who are so nefarious that they do their crimes using other identities. They acquire a driver license with another name and information. They then have their photo in it. Once charged, they leave the identity of the real owner then slip away. When time for investigation comes, cops will be looking for the name of the person on the shown license.

One should be active in protecting anything he has that contains his personal information. Lost IDs should be reported immediately. When one changes address, post have to be redirected. Intercepting posts is the easiest way of stealing information. Keep all passwords private. Do not write them anywhere to help you remember.

Stealing of personal records and information is very popular on the Internet. Through it, transactions can be faked. Dangers from hackers who may sell protected information is another crime. However, Internet transactions are required these days. To protect from information stealing, one must check authenticity of sites first before having any transaction. Phishing is commonly done and is the most popular way of getting passwords and information. Go for sites which offer encryption of information to protect it from being stolen.

Books on identity theft greatly help one in increasing his protection from different types of information theft. These days, methods being used by criminals are always evolving. Getting armed and updated with knowledge will offer the best protection.




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