Comments on: Simple Steps to Avoid Identity Theft http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/12/simple-steps-to-avoid-identity-theft/ Simple, applicable personal finance advice for the modern world Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:44:30 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: File shredder http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/12/simple-steps-to-avoid-identity-theft/comment-page-1/#comment-497993 File shredder Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:54:47 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/12/simple-steps-to-avoid-identity-theft/#comment-497993 Living in Florida there was an urgent need of shredder in the office so I called up the saleman who told me there was No sales tax on purchases delivered out of California! 10 year warranty on cutting heads & 1 year warranty on mechanical parts (parts only)! Living in Florida there was an urgent need of shredder in the office so I called up the saleman who told me there was No sales tax on purchases delivered out of California! 10 year warranty on cutting heads & 1 year warranty on mechanical parts (parts only)!

]]> By: Paper Shredders for Sale http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/12/simple-steps-to-avoid-identity-theft/comment-page-1/#comment-497992 Paper Shredders for Sale Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:54:16 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/12/simple-steps-to-avoid-identity-theft/#comment-497992 The saleman told me from whom I bought the shredder. All office shredders roll on casters for convenient sharing among offices. Every shredder model has a 10-year warranty on cutting heads and can take staples and paper clips which saves office stationary too. The saleman told me from whom I bought the shredder. All office shredders roll on casters for convenient sharing among offices. Every shredder model has a 10-year warranty on cutting heads and can take staples and paper clips which saves office stationary too.

]]> By: Paper Shredders Ratings http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/12/simple-steps-to-avoid-identity-theft/comment-page-1/#comment-497991 Paper Shredders Ratings Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:53:42 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/12/simple-steps-to-avoid-identity-theft/#comment-497991 Working and maintaining security throughout the office. I Placed shredder next to the copier or printer, these shredder models will stop information leak before it starts. Working and maintaining security throughout the office. I Placed shredder next to the copier or printer, these shredder models will stop information leak before it starts.

]]> By: thehungrydollar.com http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/12/simple-steps-to-avoid-identity-theft/comment-page-1/#comment-181977 thehungrydollar.com Thu, 14 Feb 2008 14:16:49 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/12/simple-steps-to-avoid-identity-theft/#comment-181977 I am a huge advocate of the shredder! Mine gets quite a workout as I shred anything that has my name on it... I am a huge advocate of the shredder! Mine gets quite a workout as I shred anything that has my name on it…

]]> By: jake http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/12/simple-steps-to-avoid-identity-theft/comment-page-1/#comment-181250 jake Wed, 13 Feb 2008 21:50:43 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/12/simple-steps-to-avoid-identity-theft/#comment-181250 My house was broken into last year and they trashed the whole house. I wasn't sure what exactly was stolen but i immediately got the service from one of the credit companies to give me constant update on my credit report. they text or email with the slightest change, and it worked so well I am most likely gonna renew it. Its about $100 a year, which to me isn't bad. If you know your identity was stolen I highly suggest it. My house was broken into last year and they trashed the whole house. I wasn’t sure what exactly was stolen but i immediately got the service from one of the credit companies to give me constant update on my credit report.

they text or email with the slightest change, and it worked so well I am most likely gonna renew it. Its about $100 a year, which to me isn’t bad. If you know your identity was stolen I highly suggest it.

]]> By: K12Linux http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/12/simple-steps-to-avoid-identity-theft/comment-page-1/#comment-181160 K12Linux Wed, 13 Feb 2008 20:13:24 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/12/simple-steps-to-avoid-identity-theft/#comment-181160 Jan-Erik, yes, the problem is not so much that it's not difficult to obtain someone's SSN. The problem is, as you touched on, that so many agencies or businesses treat your SSN as if it was proof of ID. Someone signed up for phone service using only my friend's name and SSN. When he disputed the bill, he had to actually *prove* that it wasn't him who signed up. Since he was living 120 miles away this wasn't so hard yet it still took three years to completely clean up the mess.. The problem seems to be that the businesses who accept SSN as verification of identity are not the ones held responsible. Instead it's the person who's identity was stolen who has to clean up the mess. Jan-Erik, yes, the problem is not so much that it’s not difficult to obtain someone’s SSN. The problem is, as you touched on, that so many agencies or businesses treat your SSN as if it was proof of ID. Someone signed up for phone service using only my friend’s name and SSN.

When he disputed the bill, he had to actually *prove* that it wasn’t him who signed up. Since he was living 120 miles away this wasn’t so hard yet it still took three years to completely clean up the mess..

The problem seems to be that the businesses who accept SSN as verification of identity are not the ones held responsible. Instead it’s the person who’s identity was stolen who has to clean up the mess.

]]> By: budgetsaresexy http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/12/simple-steps-to-avoid-identity-theft/comment-page-1/#comment-181121 budgetsaresexy Wed, 13 Feb 2008 19:25:10 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/12/simple-steps-to-avoid-identity-theft/#comment-181121 funny enough i JUST had friendly playtime with my trusty shredder last night. a word of caution though - unless you have one of those super duper heavy duty models that can shred a block of gold, i wouldn't advise dropping an entire checkbook in it...mine def. didn't like it! ha ha... and no i didn't try the actual case of it or anything, just an extra 1/4 inch thick set of old checks. i ended up just having to take out the binding part of it, and then split the checks in clumps of 3. for what it's worth. as a side note, i also praise the idea of checking your bank accounts once a day. this way if something funky comes up, you'll notice it! funny enough i JUST had friendly playtime with my trusty shredder last night. a word of caution though – unless you have one of those super duper heavy duty models that can shred a block of gold, i wouldn’t advise dropping an entire checkbook in it…mine def. didn’t like it! ha ha…

and no i didn’t try the actual case of it or anything, just an extra 1/4 inch thick set of old checks. i ended up just having to take out the binding part of it, and then split the checks in clumps of 3. for what it’s worth.

as a side note, i also praise the idea of checking your bank accounts once a day. this way if something funky comes up, you’ll notice it!

]]> By: Kim http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/12/simple-steps-to-avoid-identity-theft/comment-page-1/#comment-181113 Kim Wed, 13 Feb 2008 19:14:50 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/12/simple-steps-to-avoid-identity-theft/#comment-181113 Remember when you are shredding documents to call your local animal shelter to see if it can re-use the shredded paper for lining crates/pens etc .... Remember when you are shredding documents to call your local animal shelter to see if it can re-use the shredded paper for lining crates/pens etc ….

]]> By: me http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/12/simple-steps-to-avoid-identity-theft/comment-page-1/#comment-181014 me Wed, 13 Feb 2008 17:04:34 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/12/simple-steps-to-avoid-identity-theft/#comment-181014 This is a timely post I just had my amex account hijacked - with a counterfeit card! This is a timely post I just had my amex account hijacked – with a counterfeit card!

]]> By: Anna http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/12/simple-steps-to-avoid-identity-theft/comment-page-1/#comment-180964 Anna Wed, 13 Feb 2008 15:37:05 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/12/simple-steps-to-avoid-identity-theft/#comment-180964 Jan-Erik: Yes, in this country the SSN is a very big issue. It is one of the main access points for identity theft, which is a huge problem here. Jan-Erik: Yes, in this country the SSN is a very big issue. It is one of the main access points for identity theft, which is a huge problem here.

]]> By: Golfing Girl http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/12/simple-steps-to-avoid-identity-theft/comment-page-1/#comment-180916 Golfing Girl Wed, 13 Feb 2008 14:12:13 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/12/simple-steps-to-avoid-identity-theft/#comment-180916 Make sure your relatives, especially older ones are aware of the current scams. My father gave out my personal information because a woman claimed to be a long-lost relative wanting to look me up. He verified my maiden name as well as my mother's! He was trying to be helpful but it ended up costing me a lot of time ensuring this woman didn't do anything with the information and we had to put out a fraud alert. Bottom line, it's not just you who needs to be aware of the scams--your parents and relatives need to be aware as well. Make sure your relatives, especially older ones are aware of the current scams. My father gave out my personal information because a woman claimed to be a long-lost relative wanting to look me up. He verified my maiden name as well as my mother’s! He was trying to be helpful but it ended up costing me a lot of time ensuring this woman didn’t do anything with the information and we had to put out a fraud alert.

Bottom line, it’s not just you who needs to be aware of the scams–your parents and relatives need to be aware as well.

]]> By: The Innovative Traveler http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/12/simple-steps-to-avoid-identity-theft/comment-page-1/#comment-180904 The Innovative Traveler Wed, 13 Feb 2008 13:51:17 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/12/simple-steps-to-avoid-identity-theft/#comment-180904 It's important to have a bank that's proactive about your account. Mine calls me, an annoying amount, if anything looks remotely suspicious. I've had my 'account compromised' and also my ebay hacked into. Both times customer service took care of it before I suffered any real consequences. It’s important to have a bank that’s proactive about your account. Mine calls me, an annoying amount, if anything looks remotely suspicious. I’ve had my ‘account compromised’ and also my ebay hacked into. Both times customer service took care of it before I suffered any real consequences.

]]> By: Jan-Erik http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/12/simple-steps-to-avoid-identity-theft/comment-page-1/#comment-180870 Jan-Erik Wed, 13 Feb 2008 13:00:47 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/12/simple-steps-to-avoid-identity-theft/#comment-180870 I wonder if the SSN is a big issue. In Sweden the SSN (os PN-Personal Number) is the main index for doing anything and anyones PN kan be obtained anonymously at the tax office. Identity theft fraud exist but is not extreame. On the other hand card purchases require either PIN-CODE or providing a national authorised ID or over the Internet the CCV-code. It sometimes surpises me when I visit the US that you can do card purchases without ID och PIN. Could this be a relevant issue why identity theft is such a big issue in the US? Great post as always . . . . Jan-Erik I wonder if the SSN is a big issue.
In Sweden the SSN (os PN-Personal Number) is the main index for doing anything and anyones PN kan be obtained anonymously at the tax office.
Identity theft fraud exist but is not extreame.
On the other hand card purchases require either PIN-CODE or providing a national authorised ID or over the Internet the CCV-code.
It sometimes surpises me when I visit the US that you can do card purchases without ID och PIN.
Could this be a relevant issue why identity theft is such a big issue in the US?
Great post as always . . . .
Jan-Erik

]]> By: Lisa Spinelli http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/12/simple-steps-to-avoid-identity-theft/comment-page-1/#comment-180839 Lisa Spinelli Wed, 13 Feb 2008 12:09:36 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/12/simple-steps-to-avoid-identity-theft/#comment-180839 When I was in Italy last summer I actually witnessed a young boy attempting to take the wallet out ot the back pocket of an unaware tourist. The tourist was talking on his cell phone, and had no idea of what was happening. I yelled, and the child went scooting off. I noticed the pickpocket's friend over near a building laughing at the whole scene. I don't think this happens only in Italy! Lisa When I was in Italy last summer I actually witnessed a young boy attempting to take the wallet out ot the back pocket of an unaware tourist. The tourist was talking on his cell phone, and had no idea of what was happening. I yelled, and the child went scooting off. I noticed the pickpocket’s friend over near a building laughing at the whole scene.

I don’t think this happens only in Italy!

Lisa

]]> By: 1stopmom http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/12/simple-steps-to-avoid-identity-theft/comment-page-1/#comment-180638 1stopmom Wed, 13 Feb 2008 06:51:19 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/12/simple-steps-to-avoid-identity-theft/#comment-180638 This is really good advice. I remember one time when I got an email saying it was from Ebay and I needed to update my account information or the account will be frozen. I did not realize what a mistake I made until after I entered my information and hit the enter key. I was definitely scared out of my mind when I tried to use the link again, so I could send the info to Ebay, and all I got was an error page. Luckily nothing happened but now I pay close attention to what I click on in a email. This is really good advice. I remember one time when I got an email saying it was from Ebay and I needed to update my account information or the account will be frozen. I did not realize what a mistake I made until after I entered my information and hit the enter key. I was definitely scared out of my mind when I tried to use the link again, so I could send the info to Ebay, and all I got was an error page. Luckily nothing happened but now I pay close attention to what I click on in a email.

]]> By: k12linux http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/12/simple-steps-to-avoid-identity-theft/comment-page-1/#comment-180608 k12linux Wed, 13 Feb 2008 05:55:35 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/12/simple-steps-to-avoid-identity-theft/#comment-180608 Melissa, I personally am *glad* when my bank makes reasonable checks like showing and ID, asking for info from my account, etc. when I am withdrawing/transferring money. When one of those irate customers complain, try to remember that there are more of us who "get it" and prefer occasional inconvenience over finding an empty bank account. Anna, I have to agree with you about how places ask for your SSN when they don't need to. I work at a school and even though the student records database has a spot for SSN we never use it. If your insurance company uses your SSN as your ID, contact them and request a non-SSN ID. Virtually all will do it. In fact, two years after I got mine changed our insurance co. changed all of their customer's ID from SSN to a serialized ID number. When I have pushed most dentist and doctors offices have acknowledged that they only want my SSN as a customer ID #. It's a nice easy way to get a unique customer number I suppose. Only once have I had to say something like, "I'm sorry, but I can't provide my SSN unless you can give me a good reason that it is needed. If you can't assign some kind of ID without my SSN I will have to go somewhere else." In that case the person got their manager who was happy to help. It can be difficult because the person you are refusing to provide an SSN to may feel you are questioning their ethics or saying you don't trust them. (Especially if it's someone you know personally.) It's not necessarily that you don't trust the person behind the counter. But what about all the other people who have access to your records or may have access in the future? What about the employees of the company that stores backup tapes off-site? Or the programmer who takes sample data out of the building on their network? Or the compromised Windows PC which is sending anything that looks like SSN or credit card # off to a criminal's server somewhere? I know I'm not safe from identity theft but hopefully these steps and others like them make me somewhat safer than average. Melissa, I personally am *glad* when my bank makes reasonable checks like showing and ID, asking for info from my account, etc. when I am withdrawing/transferring money. When one of those irate customers complain, try to remember that there are more of us who “get it” and prefer occasional inconvenience over finding an empty bank account.

Anna, I have to agree with you about how places ask for your SSN when they don’t need to. I work at a school and even though the student records database has a spot for SSN we never use it.

If your insurance company uses your SSN as your ID, contact them and request a non-SSN ID. Virtually all will do it. In fact, two years after I got mine changed our insurance co. changed all of their customer’s ID from SSN to a serialized ID number.

When I have pushed most dentist and doctors offices have acknowledged that they only want my SSN as a customer ID #. It’s a nice easy way to get a unique customer number I suppose.

Only once have I had to say something like, “I’m sorry, but I can’t provide my SSN unless you can give me a good reason that it is needed. If you can’t assign some kind of ID without my SSN I will have to go somewhere else.” In that case the person got their manager who was happy to help.

It can be difficult because the person you are refusing to provide an SSN to may feel you are questioning their ethics or saying you don’t trust them. (Especially if it’s someone you know personally.)

It’s not necessarily that you don’t trust the person behind the counter. But what about all the other people who have access to your records or may have access in the future? What about the employees of the company that stores backup tapes off-site? Or the programmer who takes sample data out of the building on their network? Or the compromised Windows PC which is sending anything that looks like SSN or credit card # off to a criminal’s server somewhere?

I know I’m not safe from identity theft but hopefully these steps and others like them make me somewhat safer than average.

]]> By: My Two Cents http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/12/simple-steps-to-avoid-identity-theft/comment-page-1/#comment-180555 My Two Cents Wed, 13 Feb 2008 04:38:36 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/12/simple-steps-to-avoid-identity-theft/#comment-180555 VERY good advice! A friend of mine recently applied for a credit card and was rejected; he asked for a copy of his credit report (this is a good idea to do if you get rejected for a credit card) and found out that he was victim of identity theft. Somebody had taken out a $300K mortgage in his name and was late on the payments. VERY good advice! A friend of mine recently applied for a credit card and was rejected; he asked for a copy of his credit report (this is a good idea to do if you get rejected for a credit card) and found out that he was victim of identity theft. Somebody had taken out a $300K mortgage in his name and was late on the payments.

]]> By: Jessica http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/12/simple-steps-to-avoid-identity-theft/comment-page-1/#comment-180539 Jessica Wed, 13 Feb 2008 04:20:12 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/12/simple-steps-to-avoid-identity-theft/#comment-180539 @Melissa Usually the people who freak out on you like that are usually up to no good. I've worked in retail and the people who are trying to steal will become angry or upset for no reason because they want you to leave them alone, so they can steal. @Melissa

Usually the people who freak out on you like that are usually up to no good. I’ve worked in retail and the people who are trying to steal will become angry or upset for no reason because they want you to leave them alone, so they can steal.

]]> By: Jessica http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/12/simple-steps-to-avoid-identity-theft/comment-page-1/#comment-180533 Jessica Wed, 13 Feb 2008 04:16:29 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/12/simple-steps-to-avoid-identity-theft/#comment-180533 I second the credit freeze, which just about every state allows you to do. It's free if you can prove that you're a id theft victim, or over 65 (might be 60) otherwise it's $10 per credit report (per person) I do believe. Your credit can be unfrozen as well if you notify the bureaus in advance of when you'll be applying for a loan or credit card. The credit freeze wouldn't be a bad idea either for someone who is easily tempted to get store credit cards. I second the credit freeze, which just about every state allows you to do. It’s free if you can prove that you’re a id theft victim, or over 65 (might be 60) otherwise it’s $10 per credit report (per person) I do believe.

Your credit can be unfrozen as well if you notify the bureaus in advance of when you’ll be applying for a loan or credit card.

The credit freeze wouldn’t be a bad idea either for someone who is easily tempted to get store credit cards.

]]> By: K http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/12/simple-steps-to-avoid-identity-theft/comment-page-1/#comment-180517 K Wed, 13 Feb 2008 03:49:03 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/12/simple-steps-to-avoid-identity-theft/#comment-180517 My mother passed away recently and once an obituary goes into the local newspaper and also gets picked up by Google then your mother's maiden name becomes public knowledge and is linked to your name as "survivor of the deceased". I contacted various places that use "mother's maiden name" as a security question and had them add an additional question to that for security. My mother passed away recently and once an obituary goes into the local newspaper and also gets picked up by Google then your mother’s maiden name becomes public knowledge and is linked to your name as “survivor of the deceased”. I contacted various places that use “mother’s maiden name” as a security question and had them add an additional question to that for security.

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