Avoid Being Caught in Identity Theft

Identity theft and credit card security breaches have increased these past few months, with the latest developments including the attacks on hotel branches in America and the ZeuS Trojan malware phishing scams over the internet. Because these kinds of crimes affect more than a thousand people every year, it is best for you not be unlucky enough to be one of them. Here are a few ways to prevent being a victim of identity theft:

Avoid Phishing Scams

As mentioned earlier, the latest of these phishing scams include the ZeuS Trojan malware which used fake “Verifies by Visa” and “MsterCard SecureCode Security” enrolment programs to trick customers into giving out their credit and financial information. These scams appear as emails, pop-up screens, phone calls, and text messages that appear official but are really elaborate and well-made ruses.

For example, you try to access your credit account online and you get a popup screen that requests you to give your PIN number, Social Security Number, or password before you could access your account. These phishing screens usually have the logos of legitimate companies to make them look credible and real. You just need to ignore these things when they popup and, if you have to, contact the actual company and verify your suspicions.

Lock You Computer in the Workplace

Believe it or not, the workplace could leave you open to identity theft if you are not too careful. If you have been using the computer in your workstation to pay your bills or make payments, then you have to lock your computer whenever you leave it. Not to cast suspicions on your colleagues, but it is best that you keep your financial and credit information (as well as the other information) safe in your computer unit. Use a password that is difficult to guess, keep your financial documents in a locked drawer, and keep your wallet with you all the time.

Avoid Sending Money to Suspicious Emails

These sort of emails were more popularly known as the “Nigerian” scam, because these emails claim to originate from that country and it asks for advance payments or some kind of processing fee of sorts. Nowadays, this form of scam have taken new forms such as websites for pet adoptions, online job boards, and many more. But their main purpose is still the same, to steal money and maybe even the credit information of their victims. All you have to do is ignore these kinds of emails or websites and delete them from your inventory, and if you like you could contact the administrator to confirm your suspicions.

Be careful and vigilant in safeguarding your credit information. You might never know when it could fall in the wrong and be used in the wrong kinds of things.