Security Breach!
Posted by Andrea
He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks wisely will be delivered. (Proverbs 28:26)
Have you heard? Eleven people have been charged with stealing then selling the credit/debit card information of 40 million people. If you’ve handed over or swiped a card at Barnes and Noble, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Boston Market, DSW, Office Max, Sports Authority, or TJ Maxx, your personal information could be at risk. According to US Attorney General Michael Mukasey, “This is the single largest and most complex identity-theft case ever charged.”
Though such information angers us, I highly doubt any of us are surprised. Identity theft is a common crime. Just yesterday, a friend was telling me she recently had to file fraud charges and freeze credit accounts due to possible identity theft. Since most of us choose to pay with plastic and not paper, we are all vulnerable. However, there are things we can do to combat the problem.
- Review your credit report at least once a year. The three major credit reporting agencies Equifax, Experian, TransUnion are required by law to provide consumers with a free credit report each year. At www.annualcreditreport.com, you can request your free report via their secure website. It is important to note that your credit score is not part of the credit report. You will need to pay to receive your credit score (usually $6 to $9). If you feel uncomfortable requesting the information online, you can call and have your reports mailed to you.
- Make sure your DSL or cable modem internet connection is secure. There are dishonest people out there (perhaps even YOUR neighbors) who will piggyback off your internet connection without permission from or payment to you. Keep these internet thieves out by installing a firewall on your home computer. This will also prevent hackers from obtaining personal and financial data from your hard drive.
- Opt out of pre-approved credit card offers. Call 1-888-5OPTOUT or visit www.optoutprescreen.com. When you “opt out” this will limit the number of pre-approved credit offers that land in your mailbox. This means the dumpster diving identity thieves won’t find your information on credit card offers when they rifle through the trash.
Photo: Courtesy of largeprime (Flickr)
Tags: credit cards, identity theft
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