Beware of Online Attempts to Steal Your Identity
By: Parrish L. Stahl
We hear so much about the possibility of identity theft that it is almost white noise, but know that it is real and it is on the rise. Beware of both companies you do and don’t do business with. Be extremely cautious about sharing any private information particularly over the internet. Quick tips for internet security are to always use unique usernames and also to use different passwords. If all of your login information on the internet use the same username and password, it is that much easier for someone to steal from you.
It is very easy to create emails that appear to be from real websites, right down to pictures slogans and logos. Often these emails ask you to update your account information. A dishonest person or company can put your life together like a puzzle. They often start with name, email, street address, phone number and end up with credit card numbers, birth date and other information. Believe it or not it is not that difficult to gather personal information on even the most careful individual. Don’t make it any easier for these criminals. The more someone knows about you the easier it is to live as you.
Your best protection is your skepticism. If you have questions about an email, use that obsolete piece of technology called a telephone to call the company and check it out. Better to be safe than sorry.
