It is all over the news about data breaches happening in some of the biggest named companies.  Even if the site has the encryption symbol stating that your data is encrypted and safe, data breaches can still happen.  Two of the big companies that have recently made headline news about data breaches are Sony’s PlayStation Network or Sony Online Entertainment and Michael’s Craft Stores.

When a data breach happens it can affect just as few hundred people like at Michael’s Craft Stores or millions of people like the data breach at Sony Online Entertainment.

Data breaches can happen in a variety of ways.  At one company, configuration errors left sensitive data open to the web on a publicly accessible database.  Another data breach happened because of a Phishing attack.

How a data breach can affect you depends on what information was compromised and what they identity thieves will do with the information they stole.  Information that was compromised can range from email addresses to credit and bank account numbers, which is the worse type of data breach that can happen.

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In today’s modern world there’s an increasing threat level associated with identity theft.  With newer technology being implemented and invented everyday, this rise has been due in many respects that that innovative technology. Criminals are using that smarter technology to increasingly break into bank accounts, credit card facilities and the like quicker and easier without going detected.  But what is identity theft actually?

Identity theft in short is the usage of other people’s sensitive information or data without the knowledge of the rightful owner to their own personal benefit.  This can occur in many forms.  From the stealing of credit cards and following that, their usage all the way to the stealing of login details for bank accounts that allow the person to access and transfer other people’s money.  Identity theft can cause millions of dollars to disappear in the blink of an eye, all the way through to the destruction of someone’s reputation. Read the rest of this entry »

Credit freeze, like fraud alert can be one of the important devices to prevent the attack of identity theft. With the upsurge of identity theft, not only credit freeze fraud alerts are used as protectionism but also credit freeze is placed as a safeguard.

Many baffle themselves with question that what is a credit freeze and what are the benefits associated.  Moreover, at times the conception of fraud alert protection is also mixed up with credit freeze. Credit freeze and fraud alert are totally two different protection tools for identity theft, and should not be confused.

Credit freeze

A credit freeze also known as credit lock, where you require paying for totally locking your credit. This states that no lender will have access to your individual credit report. This has been available by the bureaus in all 50 states. In case, you want to state an application for credit, you need to ask the credit agency to terminate the credit freeze. It is only after that, the lender will be able to gain access to the credit report. Afterwards the credit freeze can be reinstated. Read the rest of this entry »

IDENTITY THEFT PROTECTION VIDEO

Identity theft remains one of the most significant of all crimes that are being committed in many countries around the world today.  In fact, the sad reality is that the frequency of identity theft is on the rise.  An ever increasing number of people of all ages (literally of all ages) are finding themselves the victims of identity theft with each passing year.  There actually are a number of reasons why identity theft is on the rise at this juncture in time.  Through this article you are provided an overview of why ID theft is on the increase – on the increase at a striking and alarming rate.

When all is said and done, by understanding why identity theft is on the rise you will be in a far better position to be able to protect yourself from this type of crime today and into the future as well.

The Economy

Experts agree that one of the reasons why identity theft is on the rise at the current time is because of the economic challenges people are facing.  Unemployment and underemployment are reaching record levels.  More and more people are finding it difficult to make ends meet.  Sadly, some of these individuals are electing to pursue illegal courses of action, such as ID theft, in order to obtain money that they need and require. Read the rest of this entry »

How will I know my identity has been stolen?

This question is asked by a lot of people around the world each time they are told of the repercussions of exposing their personal information to dubious persona or companies. You will be at a greater risk of not noticing in time that you are being defrauded, especially if your credit card is not listed in a protection program. In case there are no organizations offering credit monitoring or identity protection services in your area, you will need to look out for the following telltale signs which may imply that you are a victim of identity theft.

Be on the lookout for statements and bills which do not arrive to you when time is due. The reason for their disappearance is that someone might have stolen the mail from your mail box, or worse yet, changed your mailing address.

If you are made aware that some bank accounts have opened in your name without your knowledge, the concerned must have gotten access to your personal information. Such accounts are used to write fake checks which bounce. Report such accounts to your bank or the authorities. Read the rest of this entry »