While the internet offers many great advantages, it also increases our need for personal data protection. Many organizations that collect personal data about us, have had breaches in their security that allows this data to be accessed by persons that have no business in knowing our personal data.
Even military records have had breaches of security that have allowed your personal data to fall into the hands of the wrong person. Banks, insurance companies and hospitals have all fallen prey to security breaches that allow your personal data to get into the hands of the wrong person.
Why is it so important that our personal data be protected? Identity theft is running rampant. Thousands of persons are having their identity stolen every month. Identity thieves can take your identity and open credit card accounts without your ever knowing what has happened. Suddenly, you start getting calls from bill collectors about an overdue account that you never opened.
You should do your best to protect your own personal data, both online and at home. The more you do to protect your identity, the less likely you are to have a problem.
Begin by protecting your social security number. This number should only be given to employers, banks and for taxation purposes. Other companies should use alternate forms of identification for you. It the doctor's office asks for a social security number ask why it is needed and if an alternate number can be used. Additionally, if you are still carrying your social security card in your wallet, remove it immediately and put it into a safe and secure place where you will be able to find it. Then if a wallet is lost or stolen, you will have this bit of personal information kept safe.
Stop having phone numbers and driver's license numbers printed on your check. Ten to fifteen years ago, it was common to print these numbers on the check because it was more convenient for writing checks. Today, it is a good way to help an identity thief to take your identity. It also makes it much easier for someone to take your checks and empty your bank account.
Buy a paper shredder and use it. Even junk mail and especially offers for credit cards or insurance should be shredded. If you are not going to use these applications, make sure that they are not usable for other persons.
Consider purchasing a locking mailbox. There are several models available that allow the postman to drop your mail into the box but require that a key be used to retrieve the mail. This is an excellent way to protect your identity from people that sometimes steal mail out of mailboxes just to get personal data about you.
When you go out of town, ask someone to collect your mail regularly. If there is no one to collect the mail, ask the post office to hold it for you. If you are unable to pick up your mail on a regular basis, consider renting a post office box where your mail will be securely locked away until you are able to pick it up. This will help to ensure that your mail is safe. - 32534
Even military records have had breaches of security that have allowed your personal data to fall into the hands of the wrong person. Banks, insurance companies and hospitals have all fallen prey to security breaches that allow your personal data to get into the hands of the wrong person.
Why is it so important that our personal data be protected? Identity theft is running rampant. Thousands of persons are having their identity stolen every month. Identity thieves can take your identity and open credit card accounts without your ever knowing what has happened. Suddenly, you start getting calls from bill collectors about an overdue account that you never opened.
You should do your best to protect your own personal data, both online and at home. The more you do to protect your identity, the less likely you are to have a problem.
Begin by protecting your social security number. This number should only be given to employers, banks and for taxation purposes. Other companies should use alternate forms of identification for you. It the doctor's office asks for a social security number ask why it is needed and if an alternate number can be used. Additionally, if you are still carrying your social security card in your wallet, remove it immediately and put it into a safe and secure place where you will be able to find it. Then if a wallet is lost or stolen, you will have this bit of personal information kept safe.
Stop having phone numbers and driver's license numbers printed on your check. Ten to fifteen years ago, it was common to print these numbers on the check because it was more convenient for writing checks. Today, it is a good way to help an identity thief to take your identity. It also makes it much easier for someone to take your checks and empty your bank account.
Buy a paper shredder and use it. Even junk mail and especially offers for credit cards or insurance should be shredded. If you are not going to use these applications, make sure that they are not usable for other persons.
Consider purchasing a locking mailbox. There are several models available that allow the postman to drop your mail into the box but require that a key be used to retrieve the mail. This is an excellent way to protect your identity from people that sometimes steal mail out of mailboxes just to get personal data about you.
When you go out of town, ask someone to collect your mail regularly. If there is no one to collect the mail, ask the post office to hold it for you. If you are unable to pick up your mail on a regular basis, consider renting a post office box where your mail will be securely locked away until you are able to pick it up. This will help to ensure that your mail is safe. - 32534
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