Free Essay

Identtity Theft

In: Computers and Technology

Submitted By gsf19621
Words 385
Pages 2
Gary Fugitt

NT 1110 Computer Structure and logic

Unit 1 Assignment 1 Integrated circuit technology

August 16, 2013

Identity theft happens. It's an unfortunate fact of modern life. But there are certain steps you can take to help keep your personal information from falling into the wrong hands.
Every day, you do things to protect what's most important to you. And you know what? You do them almost automatically. Routine things like looking both ways before you cross, brushing your teeth, and buckling your seat belt.
Another routine to get into is keeping tabs on your identity and personal information. Here are five easy ways you can do it.
Read your credit card and bank statements carefully and often.
Know your payment due dates.
If a bill doesn't show up when you expect it, look into it.
Read the statements from your health insurance plan.
Make sure the claims paid match the care you got.
Shred any documents with personal and financial information.
Review each of your three credit reports at least once a year. It's easy, and it's free.
And before you know it, protecting your personal information can be as routine as locking your doors at night. There are several steps you need to do if you think you are a victim of identity theft. You must contact your credit card companies and bank letting them know you suspect identity theft. Contact one of the three credit reporting companies and they will have to contact the other two. The ways identity theft happens are rummaging through your garbage, the trash of businesses, or public dumps. They may work — or pretend to work — for legitimate companies, medical offices, clinics, pharmacies, or government agencies, or convince you to reveal personal information. Some thieves pretend to represent an institution you trust, and try to trick you into revealing personal information by email or phone. What do they do with this information? Once identity thieves have your personal information, they can drain your bank account, run up charges on your credit cards, open new utility accounts, or get medical treatment on your health insurance. An identity thief can file a tax refund in your name and get your refund. In some extreme cases, a thief might even give your name to the police during an arrest.

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