EDS' Eight Tips for Consumers to Protect Themselves from Identity Theft
August 07 2008 - 2:14PM
PR Newswire (US)
PLANO, Texas, Aug. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Every four seconds,
an identity is stolen in the U.S. Victims can spend years
recovering from theft and attempting to clean up the mess it leaves
behind, including lost job opportunities, refusal of loans for
houses and cars and even jail time as a result of false data in law
enforcement records. The recent news that the Justice Department
will prosecute 11 hackers who gained access to more than 41 million
credit and debit cards is proof positive that precautions need to
be taken by consumers to protect their identity. At the same time,
consumers and businesses alike want to utilize the convenience of
electronic payments, online commerce and other technology-based
exchanges. To help you keep your identity in shape without overly
restricting your daily transactions, EDS Security and Privacy
experts have identified EDS' eight tips to help consumers protect
themselves from identity theft while still being able to share
relevant information with those who need it: Never provide your
personal information in response to an unsolicited request. Be wary
of calls or emails you receive from organizations which ask for
personal information. Always ask or look for contact information on
unsolicited requests to ensure the caller or sender is not a part
of an identity theft ring. If you believe the content may be
suspect, contact the company yourself to check on the request and
the need for this data. Reputable companies will rarely ask you to
divulge this information when they call you, and are always willing
to verify their identity to you. Review your account statements
regularly to ensure that all transactions are in order. Identity
thieves typically use stolen information for only a short period of
time to avoid being caught. By reviewing statements when they
arrive, or utilizing your bank's online account options, you could
detect a theft and limit its damage. If you suspect a security
breach, act quickly by contacting the companies you do business
with immediately. They want to help their customers have a positive
experience, and will work to make sure the problem is resolved --
for you and for future consumers. Check your credit report
regularly. It is good practice to check your credit report on a
regular basis to ensure you are not a victim of identity theft.
Consumers can now get a free copy of their credit report annually
through one of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian
and Trans Union. The Identity Theft Web site set up by the United
States Federal Trade Commission
(http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft//) is also a great
source of information about identity theft, including advice and
guidance on the steps to take if your identity is stolen. Beware of
"phishing" e-mails. Many legitimate companies are utilizing e-mail
as a quick and convenient way to connect with their customers and
quickly launch new products and services. It's a great vehicle for
communication. Unfortunately, identity thieves are taking advantage
of this virtual tool as a way to steal personal information and
target intended victims. "Phishing" is one of the fastest-growing
forms of online fraud for identity thieves. Phishing emails look
increasingly similar to the sites they are trying to emulate, such
as a banking institution or credit card company, and will often
address you by name, making them even more convincing. It is
important to be wary of e-mails you receive from organizations
asking for personal information. Reputable businesses will never
ask you to divulge personal information from an unsolicited
request. Thieves sending these e-mails usually ask you to click on
a link in the email that takes you to a phony Web site. Once on the
phony site, your computer can be infected with spyware or a virus
without you being aware of it. If you are interested in further
exploring the contents of such an email, it is best to go to the
site yourself by typing the Web site name directly into your
browser (rather than clicking on the link provided in the email) to
ensure you are not being directed to a phony Web site. A slightly
skeptical attitude toward unsolicited e-mails is always the best
policy, especially if you've never done business with a company
before receiving an e-mail solicitation from them. Do not use
personal information for passwords. Passwords are one of the best
ways to make sure that the right people are accessing the right
information. They allow you to quickly and easily enter into your
online banking account, exchange personal information and make
electronic transactions. But using information such as Social
Security Numbers, account numbers, birth dates, names, e-mail
addresses or telephone numbers as passwords can make you an easy
target. Be sure your passwords contain at least eight characters
and include numbers or symbols. Do not write down passwords or PINs
to avoid misuse. Update anti-virus and firewall software on your PC
and apply critical security patches to your PC's operating system
on a regular basis. If your anti-virus software does not have
built-in spyware detection, invest in a spyware scanner as well as
an anti-virus package. Run scans once a week and remove any
unwanted viruses, adware or spyware that is detected. Also, check
with the operating system vendor's Web site at least monthly and
install any new critical system patches and updates. Many vendors
now offer automatic updates to your software; this is usually a
good idea. Taking these steps will reduce, and in most cases,
eliminate the potential for your PC to be infected with new viruses
and worms. Take advantage of the fraud prevention services offered
by your financial institutions. Most financial service companies
today offer a variety of services to help minimize the risk of
identity theft, but still allow you to access your accounts and
transaction history whenever and from wherever you need it. These
services include simple email alerts regarding unusual or irregular
activity such as transactions over a specified limit; downloadable
tool bars designed to help identify scam websites; and the ability
to establish temporary one-time account numbers for on-line
purchases. Review privacy and security policies of the companies
you do business with. All reputable companies post a privacy and
security policy or statement on their Web site. This should tell
you what information the company collects, how it is used and what
is shared. If you are concerned about your information being shared
with other companies, make sure there is an option to keep your
information confidential. Review the Web pages carefully to see if
you can opt out of having your information shared. If this option
is not offered, consider whether you want to do business with this
company. About EDS EDS is a leading global technology services
company delivering business solutions to its clients. EDS founded
the information technology outsourcing industry more than 46 years
ago. Today, EDS delivers a broad portfolio of information
technology and business process outsourcing services to clients in
the manufacturing, financial services, healthcare, communications,
energy, transportation, and consumer and retail industries and to
governments around the world. Learn more at eds.com. CONTACTS:
Annabelle Baxter - EDS 972 605 0978 DATASOURCE: EDS CONTACT:
Annabelle Baxter of EDS, +1-972-605-0978, Web site:
http://www.eds.com/
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