Search
Recommended Products
Related Links


 
 

 

 

Informative Articles

A new and better way for Pensions
We are told that the pensions crisis is due to our living longer than politicians' desire and having too few young people working creatively. The truth is a bit different. The Government now provides useless and destructive employment for a vast...

Corruption and Transparency - Part II
II. What to Do? What is Being Done? Two years ago, I proposed a taxonomy of corruption, venality, and graft. I suggested this cumulative definition: The withholding of a service, information, or goods that, by law, and by right, should have been...

Credit Repair Defaults
If you have defaults on your credit record, it is possible to have some of them removed. Defaults are non-payments recorded on your credit files. When a person is in default, they are subjected to lawsuits, liens, judgments, and other...

Identity Theft Guard Your Childrens Social Security Numbers
Identity theft is a growing concern among Americans, and rates among the top five complaints received by states Attorney Generals offices. A stolen identity can lead to tens of thousands of dollars worth of debt in the victims name and it can...

Liquidity or Liquidation
Large parts of the world today suffer from a severe liquidity crisis. The famed globalization of the capital markets seems to confine itself, ever more, to the richer parts, the more liquid exchanges, the more affluent geopolitical...

Money Laundering in A Changed World - Part II
Money Laundering in the Wake of the September 11 Attacks Regulation The least important trend is the tightening of financial regulations and the establishment or enhancement of compulsory (as opposed to industry or voluntary) regulatory and...

Organized Crime Expert - Amway Just Like Mafia
Organized Crime Expert - Amway Just Like Mafia Amway knew it was in trouble when the internet arrived and the details about the companys pyramid schemes began appearing online. A memo dated Dec 19, 1997, that surfaced in a lawsuit, contains the...

Stop Debt Collectors
Can you stop debt collectors ? . . .You better know you can You can stop debt collectors under the law provided by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. If you use credit cards, owe money on a personal loan, or are paying on a home...

Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Home
Buying a home is one of the most exciting things you can do, but dont let the excitement overwhelm your common sense. If youre not an experienced home buyer then its easy to fall victim to these Top 10 Mistakes that Homebuyers Make . 1. ...

Your Consumer Rights
If you have ever fallen behind on your debts you already know that dealing with your creditors can be a hassle. Sometimes it can be downright humiliating. It doesn't have to be that way. With millions of people experiencing financial problems it...

 
 
 
Keeping Private Information Private

Identity theft, a vicious crime based on impersonating someone else, is becoming more and more prevalent. Recently, there has been a run of news items on this topic in the national media almost daily. One of the most disturbing aspects is that often these crimes are inside jobs occurring at banks, mortgage companies, and similar places where sensitive personal information is housed. In these instances, where the crimes are large scale and well organized, there is not much the individual can do to prevent them.

However, there are numerous things you can do to handle those factors within your control. These include being aware of how your private information is used, who has access to it, and how it is handled. This involves shredding papers before disposing, keeping information secured or locked and away from those who do not need it.

Just because someone asks for information does not mean you are obliged to provide it. Find out if -- and why -- something is required before responding. You can also remove yourself from unwanted mailing lists, where your name and address is circulated.

When you understand why and how

 


these crimes occur, it is easier to eliminate the opportunity. Simply becoming more aware of daily activities involving your information (i.e., using credit cards, putting out the trash, visiting web sites, etc.) should increase your caution. The more careful you are, the less opportunity for the thieves, and this is certainly a crime of opportunity.

By taking a few simple precautions, you may save yourself considerable suffering and grief. Identity theft is a violation of the worst sort, and the consequences are serious and lasting. Repairing your credit and getting your identity back can be done, but it is a lengthy and tedious process.

During March and April 2005, several significant examples of large scale identity theft occurred. With help from a few corrupt insiders, several major banks and credit card companies were targeted, involving the compromise of personal information of millions of Americans.

About the Author

Norm McAlister is a writer and consultant with a background in identity theft issues. For additional information on protecting yourself from identity theft, go to http://www.SafeguardYourInfo.com.