Know How To Avoid Identity Theft On The Internet
Many people know that identity theft goes on, and that the internet is the main place where thefts occur. What most people don’t know, however, is how they can be more careful in avoiding a possible theft of their own identity.
Criminals steal identities in several ways over the internet. There are some who are computer hackers and are able to go into your personal computer. By making sure that your computer is protected by a firewall, you should be able to stop most, if not all, attacks from outside users.
The more common internet criminal steals identities by tricking the internet user into giving them their information. They do this through emails, through instant messaging programs, and through websites they have set-up for the sole purpose of stealing identities.
Many email programs nowadays have SPAM blockers or Bulk folders where most of the problematic emails go without you even having to deal with them. Some of these criminals have learned how to send emails that go directly into your inbox though.
Many times, they disguise the emails as being from a company you may be registered for such as Ebay or Paypal. These emails typically tell you that it is time to update your profile, and that you should “Click the link below” to update it. At these sites that the criminals have made up to look like the company’s website, they have a form set-up for you to enter your information into. By entering your information, they take it, and there goes your identity.
A careful look over emails like this will help you avoid identity theft on the internet. First of all, if the email looks strangely different than ones you normally get from that company, delete it. If it looks realistic, lay your mouse over the links. Either where your mouse is laying or in the lower corner of the web browser, you will see the address that the link is connected to. If this is something different than the company’s website, delete the email. If you do end up at the website, either because you fell for the email or they had both of these other tips covered, see what kind of information they are asking for. If they are asking for your social security number or any other information that a website has no reason to know, it is probably someone trying to steal your identity. Close the website immediately, and delete the initial email.
Criminals also use instant messaging programs to try and steal identities. Many identity theft criminals will message you saying they are (insert any common name here) hoping they can strike up a conversation with you. If at anytime the person asks you for personal information, stop talking to them, and, if you can, report them to the messaging service. If there is someone on the internet talking to you who needs your personal information, they probably know you well enough to call you up and ask. Never give your personal information to anyone over the internet if you can help it.
Another major way that criminals commit identity theft over the internet is by setting-up websites. These websites are typically sites that promise to show you how to earn money. Just like the websites linked to the emails, if they ask for too much information, do not give it to them.
As identity theft over the internet continues to be a growing problem, hopefully this will help you in knowing how to be careful with giving out your personal information and avoiding identity theft altogether.
