Protecting Your Identity and Personal Information

The 'cutting head' of a small shredder.

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Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the world. Advances in technology and the ability to send and receiving information over a wide range of Wi-Fi networks allows anyone with access to a computer to become potential prey for identity thieves.

Before you find yourself a victim of identity theft, there are a few things you can do to protect your personal information and your identity.

Shred Any Documents and Mail

Many people believe that ripping up documents and mail is enough to prevent identity thieves from stealing their identity. The problem is these thieves can easily piece together information and use it to open up credit cards and take out loans.

To prevent identity theft, shred all documents and mail with a crisscross shredder. This will cut everything up into tiny pieces so the thieves cannot gain access to any information.

Don’t Put Your Social Security Number on Papers

People don’t think twice about placing their social security number on documents such as those in the doctor’s or dentist’s office. However, placing that number on the paper can make you a victim of identity theft. When filling out papers for doctors or dentists ask why they need your SSN and if the reason isn’t good enough or they can’t process your insurance without then you can give it to them. Don’t just write it on random papers.

Shedding your documents and being very careful with your social security number can help you protect your personal information and your identity from identity thieves.

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Identity Theft and President Bush

During his eight years in the office as the President of the Unites States, George W Bush has been criticized profusely for a number of issues. From issues that range from how he handled the economy to the issues of the Iraq war. During his rule, the cases of Identity theft have increased by a huge number which has pushed Bush to pass on many acts to make identity theft cases fewer.

The identity theft criminals are well equipped and the people who fall for identity theft cases are incredibly stupid. This makes the part of stopping crimes that much harder for the governments. During President Bush’s rule, the cases of identity theft have increased by 40 percent. Almost half of consumer complaints received by the Federal Trade Commission are related to identity theft. Social security numbers are used by majority of Identity Thieves. Crimes involving social security number have increased by 500 percent. By 2002 the cases of identity thefts had caused losses worth $1 billion for the banking industry. On an average $18,000 was lost by every victim of Identity theft. Even after this huge number of identity losses, only three people were convicted of identity theft crime.

President bush has passed the The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act in 2003 which has helped to a certain degree with solving problems of identity theft. This act orders all online merchants to delete all credit card information from these online business transaction systems. Only the last five digits can be saved and used by the merchants for detection purposes. This act also provided customers with a system of saving all information that can be used by criminals safely. Another act passed by Bush was the Identity Theft Penalty that charges criminals according to the crime they have committed. This act has also been useful in spreading more information about this law among people and pushed people to report if they have ever been criminals of identity theft. It can be said that president bush has done whatever he could, but only one person has been charged till now.

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Identity Theft

Identity theft is an increasingly common form of crime that is being excessively practiced by online hackers. Identity theft is a criminal activity where the criminal uses the personal identity of a victim for committing other crimes or to steal from the victim. Personal information such as name, credit card number, bank account number, social security number, etc. is used without the permission of the victim.

Every year in excess of 10 million Americans get their person information stolen. This is an alarming number which increases the probability of you getting your personal identity stolen at least once in five years. The identity thieves could use the information in various ways such as obtaining a loan, a credit card, an apartment, a vehicle on debt, a telephone or a cellphone or all of the above. The victim will only come to know about these thefts only after receiving the credit card bill or any contact from the debt collecting agency to repay the debt obtained in the victim’s name. Identity theft is a serious issue which cannot be taken lightly. Many people under go thousands of dollars of loss because of the thief going out on a shopping spree. Some people undergo unbelievable embarrassment because of the thief buying illegal things on the internet or offline which are thought to be brought by the victim.

Identity theft is possible by various innovative and disgusting means that thieves have developed. One way to steal personal information is by diving into the dumps of victims and looking for bank papers and other documents which can help them. They could also appear as bank executives who are offering the victim a loan; in return the thief steals all kinds of personal information from the customer. Modern methods of stealing information are by means of using credit card information stealer and online bank forms. Some just steal purses and bags to get personal information.

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