He spent over 17 years in the banking industry in the U.K and then a further 8 years in Canada. For the last 20 years he was a senior executive for two private sector companies. He was chief operating officer and chief financial officer for the first company and the Quality Manager and General Manager, for a company which was ISO registered. As a recently retired Canadian Small Business advisor and mentor, he is moving his attention into the internet world of small business, where his past experience and knowledge, will prove of significant value and will grow as he learns how the internet business world thinks and works. He has undertaken an internet joint venture with three colleagues that he has met through a membership site in 2007 and intends to expand his horizons during 2008.
This is the fifth in a series of articles which will increase your awareness about Identity Theft.
Have you been hearing and reading reports about the crime of Identity Theft?
Do you have any idea what Identity Theft is?
What is Identity Theft?
It is the stealing of items of your personal information such as your social security number, Drivers license number, address, phone number, debit card details, credit card details, bank account numbers, and even your mother’s maiden name, with the intention of using this information to defraud you and make money for the person who is perpetrating the crime.
You need to exercise extreme care at all times to protect all of your personal information. Only by being very careful at all times, can you expect to avoid becoming a victim of Identity Theft.
How can you prevent yourself from identity theft? Here are a few suggestions. More suggestions can be found in other articles that I have written on the subject of Identity Theft. See website below for further information.
When You are at Home:
• If you have roommates or visitors, or in some cases members of your family living with you, make sure that you keep your personal information secure at all times. I am not saying that these people will attempt to steal identity items from you, but there have been numerable cases that have been prosecuted, where the instigator has been close to the family and well known to the family.
• Place your outgoing mail in the post office collection box or else mail it at the nearest post office, rather than put it in your mail box, which can be accessed by anyone who wishes to do so. Remove your incoming mail from your mailbox as soon as practically possible. If you are going to be away from home, have the post office hold your mail until you return.
• Destroy all your documents that you receive in the mail, after you have dealt with them, including junk mail items that may have credit or personal information on them, such as credit card company solicitations. If you are able destroy this information by shredding.
If you are at Work:
• You may be requested to provide personal information. Enquire as to how this information is to be used and what kind of security is in place. You do not want your personal data left lying around in an office where prying eyes can acquire it.
On the Internet:
• If you are contemplating business transactions online, read thoroughly about the confidentiality of the website. Make sure you are giving any personal information to someone who is going to maintain it securely. If in doubt, do not provide the information.
• You should consider using your Pay Pal account whenever possible to make payments to third parties. This will protect the credit card information that you might otherwise be needed to provide.
• Avoid giving your personal data over the telephone, via email, or online unless you have initiated the contact or you already know the person with whom you are doing business.
In conclusion, always be alert. If someone asks for your personal information, be it a friend, acquaintance, or business, ask the reason why they want it from you and how they will protect it if provided.
John Ritchie,
Copyright to this article belongs to John Ritchie.
http://www.johnritchieonline.com
For more detailed information on Identity Theft, and to sign up for our 5 part e-course, go to http://www.johnritchieonline.com .
You may download and distribute this article freely and without restrictions. You must not, however, delete the resource box link.
- Related Articles
- Related Q&A
- Identity Theft Protection and Awareness for Travelers
- Understand Identity Theft - Tips To Protect Yourself
- Identity Theft Caused From Using Stolen Credit Card Information
- Useful Tips For Identity Theft Prevention - Guard Your Financial Records
- Identity Theft Statistics
- Preventing Identity Theft - Don't Lose Your Identity
- How To Prevent Identity Theft - Check Credit Reports Regularly
- Protection Against Identity Theft
The Conventional Water Fire Extinguisher: Nothing Still Beats The Basics
By: Bennett Glover | 15/11/2009When you think about fighting off fire, the first thing that comes to mind is surely the element, water. So when extinguishing fire, probably what you also picture is water coming out of this huge, red canister. After all, water is generally the thing that fire fighters use to put off the fire from a burning house. But not all fire extinguishers are actually composed of water, but a water fire extinguisher does exist, too.
What on Earth is the CO2 Fire Extinguisher?
By: Bennett Glover | 15/11/2009When you go to your local fire extinguisher store, you will realize that after asking around, there is actually more than just one kind of fire extinguisher for sale. Yes, you will come to find out that the big red tanks that blow off those thick, gray smog that you see in the movies actually come in varieties, and these varieties are more than just flavours or designs. Each particular fire-fighting equipment actually has a corresponding case of fire emergency that it is supposed to address.
Do You Know How To Make Money From Home
By: Juhani Tontti | 15/11/2009If you want to make money from home, professionally or full time, or just to make some extra money, the funny thing is, that both of these targets require about the same know how. Many internet marketers think, that it is easier to make less money.
Offline MLM Marketing Strategies - Offline Tools That Will Boost Your MLM Sponsoring Success
By: Sandra Essex | 15/11/2009Offline MLM marketing strategies are just as important as online marketing when it comes to building your business. If you think the arrival of the internet has consigned ALL traditional methods of promoting your MLM business to the dustbin, think again.
Shelving by Design: Storage to Match any Decor
By: Greg Prather | 15/11/2009The annoying questions, from my friend Michael, stopped after he followed my suggestion to look into shelving by design. The annoying questions, from my friend Michael, stopped after he followed my suggestion to look into shelving by design.
Legitimate Free Paid Survey Sites that Pay (No drawings or sweepstakes)
By: T. Clawson | 15/11/2009Comprehensive list and guide for legitimate paying survey sites. These companies pay by cash, gift certificates and merchandise - NO sweepstakes or drawings!
PROVEN Online Business Success In Three Easy Steps kp
By: kishan | 15/11/2009Some marketing experts would have you believe thatmake money online, home business, work at home, small business the key to a successful home business is limited to a select few and that this chosen bunch have tapped into vast secrets where riches are to be found in abundance. Others will push forward the idea that their product or service is all you need to make a monthly residual income a reality. Statistically only 5% of budding entrepreneurs will make it online. To be perfectly hones
Review Of Ameriplan USA
By: Lawren Smithi | 15/11/2009Ameriplan USA is a network marketing company that offers various health benefit programs as well as a business opportunity for those interested. But, exactly what are you getting when you signup with Ameriplan USA. I go into detail about the company and explain how you can generate success even if the trainings offered are not sufficient.
Read email programs
By: John Ritchie | 06/09/2009 | Home BusinessSome of you have joined “read email” programs because most of these programs have a FREE membership option, which will also pay you in cash for your efforts, once your income reaches a predetermined minimum level.Some of these programs will pay about 1 cent for each email that you read and some of them only permit you to earn from a few emails each day.Recently a newer group of companies have established themselves on the internet and they are offering substantially higher payments.
Identity Theft Caused From Using Stolen Credit Card Information
By: John Ritchie | 11/09/2008 | Home BusinessThe sixth in a series of informational articles entitled, Awareness of Identity Theft, This article covers problems faced by Identity Theft victims and should be read by anyone who has established a good credit rating or wishes to attain a good credit rating and is determined not to surrender it to Identity Theft.
Comprehensive List of Steps Needed to Prevent Identity Theft
By: John Ritchie | 11/09/2008 | Home BusinessThe fifth in a series of informational articles entitled, Awareness of Identity Theft, This article covers problems faced by Identity Theft victims and should be read by anyone who has established a good credit rating or wishes to attain a good credit rating and is determined not to surrender it to Identity Theft.
Combating Online Identity Theft
By: John Ritchie | 10/09/2008 | Home BusinessThe fourth in a series of informational articles entitled, Awareness of Identity Theft, This article covers problems faced by Identity Theft victims and should be read by anyone who has established a good credit rating or wishes to attain a good credit rating and is determined to keep that record in good standing.
Check Your Credit Report Regularly to Avoid Becoming a Victim of Identity Theft
By: John Ritchie | 08/09/2008 | Home BusinessThe third in a series of informational articles entitled, Awareness of Identity Theft, This article covers problems faced by Identity Theft victims and should be read by anyone who has established a good credit rating and is determined to keep that record in good standing.
Identity Theft Victim Finds Life is Now Tough
By: John Ritchie | 07/09/2008 | Home BusinessThe second in a series of informational articles entitled, Awareness of Identity Theft, This article covers problems faced by Identity Theft victims and should be read by anyone who has established a good credit rating and is determined to keep that record in good standing.
8 Million Hotel Guests Face Risk of Identity Theft
By: John Ritchie | 07/09/2008 | Home BusinessThe first in a series of informational articles entitled, Awareness of Identity Theft, This article covers details of a major leak of confidential information that should be of concern to all and should be read by anyone who has established a good credit rating and is determined to keep that record in good standing.
Training for Success With Your Internet Business, Article 10 Promotional Items
By: John Ritchie | 25/08/2008 | Home BusinessThe tenth in a series of training articles entitled, Training for Success with Your Internet Business, This article covers Promotional Items, and is a must read for all business owners, whether they are operating an on line home based business, or a regular home based business. The tips and suggestions are provided from real life situations as seen and experienced by the author.