What you can learn from this ebook

Gone are the days when we had to step outside to purchase our groceries, book flights and vacations, rent or purchase cars, or just transfer money between bank accounts. Today, we can simply grab our checkbooks, debit cards or credit cards, sit down at a computer in the comfort and safety of our home, and complete these transactions with passwords and PIN numbers. Thanks to advances in technology, the types of transactions we can now complete online are virtually endless.

Unfortunately, the increase in online transactions has been accompanied by an increase in online identity theft. Fraudulent access to personal information over the Internet is increasingly prevalent and sophisticated. Two forms of identity theft are at the forefront of this Internet piracy: PHISHING and PHARMING.

What you can learn from this ebook

Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in America. When a dishonest person has your Social Security number, the thief can use it to get other personal information about you. Most of the time identity thieves use your number and your good credit to apply for more credit in your name. Then, they use the credit cards and do not pay the bills. You do not find out that someone is using your number until you are turned down for credit, or you begin to get calls from unknown creditors demanding payment for items you never bought.

Someone illegally using your Social Security number and assuming your identity can cause a lot of problems. Your Social Security number and our records are confidential. We do not give your number to anyone, except when authorized by law. You should be careful about sharing your number with anyone who asks for it (even when you are provided with a benefit or service).

What you can learn from this ebook

You’ve probably heard about it in the news.

It may even have happened to someone you know.

The FBI calls identity theft one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States and estimates that 500,000 to 700,000 Americans become identity theft victims each year.

Identity theft is a federal crime. It occurs when one person’s identification (which can include name, social security number, or any account number) is used or transferred by another person for unlawful activities.

This booklet is designed to help you understand what identity theft is, how it happens, how to protect yourself, and what steps to take if your identity is stolen.

The consequences of identity theft can be staggering. Victims spend extensive time closing bad accounts, opening new ones, and fixing credit records. There can be high out-of-pocket expenses related to clearing your name. You could be denied loans and jobs — and, though unlikely, you could even be mistakenly arrested as a result of crimes committed in your name.

What you can learn from this booklet

Explains your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act.

Tells how you can legally improve your credit report.

Offers tips on dealing with debt.

Cautions about credit-related scams and how to avoid them.

Offers information about identity theft.

Lists resources for additional information.

To download this e-book, or any of our current e-books, please visit the ebook page where you may choose the e-book(s) you wish to download. *Download an e-book by clicking on it’s title.*

Is Online Banking Really the Way to Go?

Question:

With identity theft as well as bank systems having a hard time surviving in the current economy, is online banking really the most efficient and safe way to go?

Answer:

Banking systems are safe. There are rumors going around the internet that banks are unsafe and aren’t the place you should put your money, but you have to realize that the FDIC has your best interests at heart and unless you carry a balance of over $250,000 in one bank account at a time, you’re fine.

That being said, online banking is also safe as long as you double and triple check the website address before you enter your personal information in the site.

While I know this wasn’t an attempt to grab my bank account information, it was still an attempt to take some of my personal information: I was on MySpace.com and a friend had posted a bulletin about something that had a link in it. The link was to rnyspace.com…Notice the RN makes the “m” in myspace.com…This has to be watched carefully to make sure you aren’t being “phished” for information.

When you’re careful, online banking is safe and efficient.

To protect yourself through the holiday season (and throughout the year) here are some tips from the AP about how to keep your identity and credit cards safe while shopping online and offline.

I’m not meaning to cause alarm, because some of you have much more to worry about in these troubling times, but here’s some tips to keep your identity safe in the mean time.

Shred all documents. I bought a cross cut paper shredder from Wal-Mart for $20…prior to that many of our personal documents would be torn into maybe 4 or 8 pieces and thrown into the trash. That was obviously not the best option.

Never EVER respond to an email asking for personal information, by now most people know this. However, there are some emails that can look particularly legitimate. For example, the IRS is looking for your information via email and you filed online. They won’t ask for personal information through an email. Call them instead to make sure.

And one little thing you can do: Cover your card number when you pay for something in a check out line. I’ve seen people try to take pictures of my credit card number, but I keep the numbers covered with my index finger and always scan it myself. At the same time, I have to trust wait staff at restaurants, perhaps I shouldn’t (recently a waitress in a Memphis restaurant was caught with a scanner that would scan and save card numbers).

Just remember this is still going on, even if your mind is elsewhere. Keep a watchful eye on your credit.