Becoming a Victim of Identity Theft

Your day is probably very similar to that of many others - go to work, play around on your phone during lunch and breaks, come home, log into social media, check your bank account, send some emails... pretty typical. The thing that many people do not realize though, is that each time you go online and enter in information about yourself, (a password, credit card number, location service) you're giving someone else the opportunity to learn more about you and your whereabouts. While this may not seem like a big deal, all it takes is one slip up for a thief to gain access to some of your most private information.

How is This Possible?

Think about it this way; if you log into your accounts or your email while at work, and your workplace uses a public network connection, it may be easy for people to see who is using the network, and what they are doing with it. In the same vein, using a public computer to do personal activities raises your likelihood of forgetting to log out  - or accidentally storing a password that you meant to keep private. Either of these options may make it possible for a stranger to look into your life... and not everyone will stop at posting a harmless status update or sending funny emails before logging back out. Some people can use instances like this as an opportunity to attempt identity theft - or begin working toward it.

The Dangers of Identity Theft

Your private information is meant to stay private, that's what makes it unique. You choose passwords and security questions - even account names - as a way to ensure that you and only you can access your accounts and information. Paying bills, shopping, social media and even email accounts all have unique identifiers, which keep them from being accessed by the public. They are meant to be seen by the account holder only, so it can be extremely unnerving to know (or even think) that someone else has had access to them. When someone that should not have access to your identity works their way in, terrible things can happen. Money can be stolen, relationships can be ruined - even reputations between you and businesses and creditors can be tarnished. Though these breaches can happen quite quickly, often without notice until it is too late, it can take months to years in order to be fully repaired, often at your extreme expense.

After carefully considering this type of outcome, many people decide to protect themselves from identity theft by utilizing services that can help to keep their information private, as well as update them on the ways that their information is being used. Not only does this serve to give people a heads up when they need one, but it can be a good way to keep track of various actions that people take with their own information as well. With regular updates and careful monitoring of activities, people can better protect themselves from becoming victims and having to go through all of the hassles associated with identity theft.

Do I Need ID Theft Protection?

While it my not seem like it is necessary to add more layers of protection to your online presence, carefully considering the alternative may make you change your mind. Utilizing services that provide identity theft protection can make it more difficult for thieves to access the important aspects of your identity, leading to fewer instances of theft and much less stress for you in the long run. Sure, you don't absolutely have to use these methods of protection, but the following information may make you more inclined to choose to.

How Do Thieves Access My Information?

There are many different methods that identity thieves use to reach their goals. These include hacking, intercepting mail, petty theft and even in some cases simple luck. While old fashioned robbery may result in a thief obtaining things like a driver's license, keys and physical credit cards, it is often the online theft that can do much more damage. Most people will file police reports and close credit cards as soon as they are taken because they are aware that it is happening - people whose information is compromised online may not always know right away, which can lead to prolonged misuse by thieves and a great deal of debt and sleuthing that must be done in order to repair the damage. Once a thief has accessed the parts of your life that they are after, things only become worse for you, the victim.

What Happens After My Information is Compromised?

Often, thieves will go undetected for a period of time, giving them ample opportunity to do what they want to do with your information. During this period of "free reign", purchases may be made, your name and address can be used to apply for accounts and lines of credit, or even worse, they could use their stolen access to your information in order to simply drain your checking or savings accounts before you have the opportunity to do anything about it. Even though in most cases, your financial institutions will reimburse you for the theft after a period of time, logging into your bank account or having a card declined can be really embarrassing and upsetting. Asking "how could someone have gotten one over on me?" is one of the most common questions asked by people that do not utilize any sort of ID theft protection.

The types of ID theft protection available include credit monitoring, ID monitoring, password keepers, single sign on software and credit check monitoring. Each of these options does something slightly unique, offering you the ability to help prevent yourself from becoming a victim of identity theft as well as ensuring that your information is safer. You may not need to utilize credit check monitoring, but using something like a password keeper will not only protect your interests, it can make your life slightly simpler; it will reduce your need to memorize and remember the many passwords that you use on a daily basis. Choosing the best type of identity theft protection will not be the same process for everyone- which is why so many different options are available.

Some Ways that People Change After Experiencing Identity Theft

Many people have an idea about what the worst possible thing in the world to face is, but one thing that many of these scenarios have in common is feeling helpless in any way. Being a victim of identity theft is certainly going to make a person feel helpless; in fact, it's downright scary. At its core, identity theft is one person stealing the livelihood of another in some way, whether it is through a bank account, false advertising, or simply using another's individual's name and information. Identity theft has many long lasting side effects, each of these can be as damaging and disturbing as the initial theft itself.

It Takes Time to Clean Up

If preventing identity theft is not possible because it has already happened, it may take some time and effort to make things right. If bank accounts or Social Security information has been compromised, there is a set chain of events that must happen before things can go back to normal. Correspondence with police, governmental authorities, financial institutions and others can take some time to finish, meaning that the whole process may not be easily rectified. Eventually, though, things will return to normal after you've provided proof that you were not at fault and that your information was in fact misused.

Be Prepared to do a Lot of Explaining

Sadly, the burden of proof is often on the individual when it comes to identity theft. In order to prove innocence and that a theft has happened, you must remain vigilant toward  your information, making sure to report changes and inconsistencies as soon as they are noticed. This will make it much less likely for large amounts of debt to be incurred, or for someone else to use your information in terrible ways, potentially ruining your reputation. Talking to the people in charge of your accounts may be frustrating, but it's important to be clear and honest when dealing with the repercussions of identity theft in order to get it taken care of as soon as possible.

It's Normal to be Cautious

Victims of identity theft are often much more cautious with the information that they give out in the aftermath of the occurrence. Unfortunately, this can make people seem very paranoid and almost overly cautious, but that's only because they know what it's like to be a victim. Victims of ID theft are less likely to enter in passwords or do online banking, and they are often much less inclined to give out their personal information to others - while this may seem silly, it can help to reduce the likelihood of further theft, and teach others some good practices.

While somewhat localized to the person that was the actual victim, these aftereffects can also impact those close to an individual. Not wanting to give out information or conduct any activities online can put a damper on organizing events or paying bills - but in many cases, it's for the best. If the people that were victims of identity theft feel more comfortable changing their routines, ultimately these changes will be for the best, and can serve as a way to keep people calm and collected after going through a very stressful situation.

The Common Victims of Identity Theft

Identity theft can happen to anyone, but there are many people and groups that are commonly targeted. These individuals are targeted for specific reasons, but it must be noted that when someone is looking to steal an identity, they are not looking for a complicated process. The simpler it is for someone to get ahold of your information, the more likely it is that theft will occur. Victims of identity theft should always remember that they are not alone, and that others are experiencing the same thing as them, especially if they fall into one of the following groups.

Users of Store Branded Credit Cards and Frequent Shoppers in Retail Locations

In the recent months, many big name retailers have been the victims of credit card breaches. Although these stores and corporations took precautions to prevent these "hacks" thieves were still able to get into the system, obtaining information of thousands of customers, credit card holders, and employees. Although these cards are in your name, it is up to the company to keep track of your account - you can check the balances and transactions, but you cannot validate the safety and security of the network as a whole. The large number of users for these types of accounts also make them targets because of their sheer size; being able to break into the database will allow thieves access to numerous accounts and copious amounts of information.

The Elderly

Many older people have access to the Internet and smartphones, making them easy targets. In many cases, these individuals are not up to date on how things work - so receiving an email asking for information and passwords or even doing something as simple as clicking on a pop-up window may allow identity theft to occur. Older people cannot always keep up with the new trends, and may think that they are simply installing updates or updating account information when in reality they are installing spyware or viruses - or even worse, giving someone their banking or personal information. After the age of 65, senior citizens rely on their Social Security number for many things, and someone asking for it over the phone or even online will not seem out of place, but it can lead to terrible things if used by the wrong people.

College Students

College age students are likely candidates for identity theft due to the sudden influx of applications and information released under their names. Many of these students are applying for financial aid, apartments, credit cards, loans, jobs... the list is endless, but it all comes down to releasing a lot of information in the span of a few months. As students send these pages out to many different companies, there is a lot of opportunity for this information to get "misplaced" or intercepted - creating the potential for identity theft. Another way that thieves get information from college age students is by sending similar forms to them at the same time that application forms are sent. Although there is no way to pinpoint exact times to send these mailers, the months when students are filling out loan and acceptance applications are prime time for this type of thievery. The envelopes will seem innocuous enough, but filling them out and sending them back will often not accomplish anything except compromising information.

In order to protect yourself from becoming a victim, it is important to first understand what it is, and then decide how to best protect against ID theft. Those in the groups outlined above are certainly not the only ones at risk, but these groups tend to be more susceptible, making them easier targets - necessitating the use of software like credit and identity monitoring services to help prevent the occurrence of identity theft, which can be learned about by visiting http://www.identityguard.com/.

The Rising Occurrence of Identity Theft

Before the age of computers and the Internet, identity theft was only possible in very specific ways. The focus of the theft in these situations was on financial gain, and typically stemmed from ATM cards being stolen, checks being falsely handled and cashed, or obtaining credit cards in other people's names. Though these types of theft are serious and need to be handled as such, computers have allowed thieves to dive deeper into the personal information of others with very little effort. In part, this is due to the fact that many internet users use very little thought when coming up with passwords and entering their information. This combined with setting up multiple accounts, projects or games increases their online presence, and means that they are freely giving out their information, which can become problematic when and if thieves get their hands on it. 

Where Does Identity Theft Occur? 

There are two types of identity theft: online and in person.These two types can be further broken down into individual instances of identity theft, which include different categories that the theft falls into. When identity theft is done online, people often strike hard and fast, doing everything in one fell swoop so that the likelihood of getting caught is decreased. In person identity theft may occur at a slower pace, which gives the thieves more time to do things like withdraw money from ATMs, open store charge cards, or even rack up purchases over an extended period of time before the true individual even knows what is happening. 

Specific Cases of Identity Theft

While not exhaustive, the following is a list of some of the most prevalent instances of identity theft that people face today. 

- Financial identity theft is one of the most common types of theft. Data breaches, card compromises, and in some cases, sheer carelessness are reasons for this to happen. 

- Driver’s license or personal identification identity theft is also quite common, and happens when a purse or wallet is stolen, and someone uses your identification for their own personal gain. This includes state issued forms of identification, passports, ID badges and even store loyalty cards.

- Social Security theft happens when your number is stolen and used by someone that is hoping to gain financially without having to have put in the time or effort to work for their reward. Felons, illegal immigrants and those who are having their wages garnished or are working "off the books" are some of the most common groups of people that partake in this type of identity theft.

- Targeting children in cases of identity theft is quite crafty, and has been happening more and more. These thieves are often very hard to catch for one big reason: children have no need to access their credit reports or use their Social Security number until they are trying to get a job or go to school, therefore theft may occur for many years before being noticed, at which time it can be difficult to trace. Sadly, in cases like this, it is often someone with close ties to the family that has obtained and misused the child's information and identity.

Who Are The Victims of Identity Theft?

Although the answer to this question is open ended, the truth is that the victims of identity theft are those that experience it - along with their friends, family and other loved ones. It may seem like the only people in this situation that are affected are the ones whose information has been compromised, but the act of identity theft also makes everyone surrounding them a potential victim as well. The practice of identity theft sets off a ripple effect that may take months - if not years - to completely erase. 

How Are People Victimized? 

Identity theft, when broken down into simple terms refers to the use of someone’s name, information or likeness without that person's permission, but it can mean so much more than rifling through bank accounts or accessing people's personal information. The people whose identities have been stolen often lose large amounts of money, the feeling of security and their sense of safety - but their families also suffer. When people are victims of the different types of identity theft, the thieves also often learn information about other relatives and friends, including names, address and phone numbers, which may open the flood gates for future cases of identity theft if the initial one goes unnoticed for long enough. 

Where Can I Learn How to Prevent Identity Theft? 

In order to prevent it, you must first educate yourself about identity theft and the ways that it can be prevented or detected. Websites like http://www.identityguard.com/what-is-identity-theft/ will give people a better idea of the ways that they can stop identity theft by recognizing the signs of potential breaches, and stop or cut back on behaviors that may be making their information more accessible to thieves. One positive to come from a large number of victims is that their stores are broadcast and serve as warnings for others to see, giving people the ability to learn from the mistakes of others. This also gives them an inside look at what the process of recovering from identity theft can be like. 

Can It Happen to Me? 

Identity theft can happen to anyone that releases information about their lives to others. It can happen while you’re entering your PIN number at the grocery store or trying to sign up for an online newsletter - all it takes is one individual getting one piece of your information. There are people that are professional scammers, spenting the days coming up with schemes to get others to release information to them, or to "hack" into major databases - and these people care about one thing and one thing only... obtaining and using your identity for their own personal gain. It may sound scary and exaggerated, but identity theft is not something that should be taken lightly. Websites offer guidelines for creating user names and passwords for a reason, and following their suggestions can do a great deal toward keeping information from becoming compromised. 

Identity theft can happen to anyone, and although it is a scary process that will not resolve itself overnight, taking

precautions to prevent it from happening can save people a great deal of time, effort, and grief in the long run. 

Protecting Yourself From Identity Theft Online

The Internet was created as a way for people to connect with others and share knowledge across the world without having to leave their homes. Over the years, it has evolved into a way for people to conduct different types of business - both personal and commercial - with large numbers of people. With this widespread reach, the possibility of online identity theft has grown, sadly becoming almost commonplace. It is imperative for those that spend any time online, and have entered in any personal information to understand exactly what identity theft is, and websites like https://www.identityguard.com/online-identity-theft/ provide vital information to consumers to help them better protect themselves. 

How to Prevent Online Identity Theft

A few simple measures taken can help to protect you and your information from online identity theft. You may choose to take all of these preventative measures, or you may only practice what is important to you; it all depends on what you feel is a necessary level of security. From using varied passwords to only perusing reputable websites, the different measures that you can take will be unique to each individual. 

Do not enter information unless you can verify the security of the website. Your bank will never require you to email them personal information, nor will retail websites. Always log in and update information through the official websites, and ensure that anyone who uses your information to purchase items (spouse, children, etc) does the same. 

Make up unique passwords for various websites. Although many sites require you to come up with varied passwords including capitalization, numbers and even special characters, it is important to folly guidelines and create passwords that other people cannot guess easily. Names, birthdays and pet names may be easy for you to remember, but that also makes them easier for others to guess...and misuse. 

Use common sense. Sorry to say, but that Nigerian prince that emailed you about the millions of dollars that he’s planning on sharing does not exist. Scams like these are called phishing scams - all they are doing is attempting to get information from people as a way to invade their privacy - and use their information for nefarious purposes. In this same vein, entering information into pop up windows, chat rooms or even untested retail or merchant sites can result in stolen information and a huge hassle. 

What Else Can I Do? 

In addition to these ideas, you can also take measures to protect your actual computer - not just your information. Putting a password on your WiFi network may not seem like it will do much, but it can keep people from leeching off of your connection and using your network for illegal activities. Another suggestion is to ensure that you'e using protection on your device. Anti-virus software, Malware protectors and even routinely running system clean up scans can do wonders to help protect yourself and your important information. Protecting yourself from online identity theft is about vigilance and choices, not about constantly worrying about your security. Many of these precautions - the passwords, security questions, anti-virus, not entering information each time it is asked for, and even sticking to reputable sites - are extremely effective in helping to prevent identity theft, which should set your mind at ease when it comes to your personal safety and online security.