Password Protection Required
Identity thefts are far more complex in nature compared to normal burglaries. A burglar is satisfied with an empty house to loot but an identity thief gets his information piece by piece.
Protection from Scammers
Mortgage scams these days are second only to Identity thefts and frauds. There are many people out there who make a living out of scamming people. Scammers first get hold of a victim and then they do all they can to ensure that they get your cash and identity and leave before you realize that something is wrong.
Observe Safety While Shopping Online
Whether you are getting a new laptop shipped from a different country or are feeling a bit lazy and decide to shop from home, the Internet makes it all possible. This vast network of computers and information has made life very easy not only for food, travel and education but also for shopping.
Gadgets – Another tool for Identity Thieves
The movie Ocean’s Eleven showed the use of gadgets in thieving, which was fun to watch, but won’t be as much fun to be a victim of. The use of gadgets in crimes has increased a lot these days. Identity thieves especially, make use of camera phones to capture an image of your credit card number, bank account number and other such valuable information. These bits and pieces of information can go a long way in uncovering an individual’s identity. For example, a thief can get a picture of your license plates and can immediately get your name, address, telephone number and social security number. Once at your home, they can get even more valuable information like financial statements, bank accounts etc.
Consider today’s businessmen who travel so much that all their information is stored on their laptops. If a thief manages to steal this laptop, they can get direct access to all your accounts, your credit balance, your financial statements and much more. Some people even have valuable business strategies in their laptops. All this information can be obtained by browsing your laptop for just ten minutes. Spy movies that show neat criminals using gadgets to bring about war might seem like a stretch, but in reality it is very much possible.
The Global Positioning System (GPS) that most of our cars have can also be very dangerous in the wrong hands. Most of our home addresses are programmed on the GPS; even a petty thief can break into your car and can get direct access to your house.
Protect your gadgets to protect yourself
A day without an mp3 player or your iPhone will seem like torture. It is unimaginable to live in a world without these gadgets. Don’t worry; here are a few tips to protect them
- Be subtle: When saving names and addresses on your phone make sure that you do it in a plain fashion. Store the name instead of the relationship.
- Lock personal information: If you are in a habit of saving valuable information on your gadgets, make sure you lock it with a strong password.
- Carry few gadgets: Carry as little as possible with you. In case you carry many devices, make sure you don’t put them all together.
- Teach your kid: Children today have more devices than their parents. Educate them on the importance of safety and security, especially in playgrounds.