Keeping Your Identity

Identity thieves can manipulate your information and invade your personal and financial life. They can use stolen identities to conduct spending sprees, open new bank accounts, divert mail, apply for loans and credit cards, rent apartments, and commit serious crimes in your name.

It is shocking to learn how key pieces of personal information are stolen. A whole new lexicon of expressions has developed around this disturbing phenomenon:

Shoulder Surfing occurs when someone looks over your shoulder at the ATM or cash register.

Friendly Theft occurs when friends, family, or employees steal your personal data.

Dumpster Diving occurs when someone retrieves personal information from your garbage or recycling bin.

Online Phishing Scams send fraudulent emails to unsuspecting individuals asking them to resolve an account problem

In his book, Fight for your Money, David Bach provides the following tips:

• Shred documents and mail before tossing them into the garbage bin.

• Keep sensitive information out of your mailbox. Start receiving your statements and bills online instead of through the mail. This is more secure and also better for the environment.

• Check all bank and credit card statements weekly.

• Do not provide personal information over the telephone unless you have initiated the call to a verified phone number.

• Do not respond to automated phone messages or emails asking you to call a number or resolve a bank account issue.

• Do not leave wallets or cheque books lying around at home, in the office, or in the car.