Home Security News

How ID Theft Happens

It's as important to guard against identity theft as it is to watch out for burglars.  A robbery is a pain, but someone stealing your identity could be even more of a hassle.  And if you've been robbed, you may be even more at risk of ID theft, since today's all too savvy thieves are likely to take check books and credit cards not to use them to get money out of your account but to open new accounts, take out loans, etc.  ID theft is a big problem.

So, aside from thieves breaking and entering, how does it happen?  Here are the major ways:

1. Dumpster Diving -- ID thieves rummage through trash looking for bills or other paper with your personal information on it (so make sure to shred all your identifying pieces of mail!)
2. Skimming -- This is when they steal your credit or debit card numbers by using a special storage device when processing your card.  While it's hard to keep your card in sight at all times (i.e. at restaurants), it's not a bad practice.  If you pay in cash at restaurants, you don't have to let your cards out of your sight.
3. Phishing -- You know those junk mails you get that seem to be from legitimate sites such as Paypal?  They're actually ID thieves hoping to get you to click a legitimate looking link to get your personal information.  To be on the safe side, if a link in your email takes you to a page that asks for your password or personal information, don't input it.
4. Changing Your Address -- Missing any mail?  Some identity thieves will divert your billing statements to another location by completing a "change of address" form at the post office.  If anything seems fishy with your mail situation, go down to the post office and see what's up.
5. Old-fashioned Theft -- If someone swipes your wallet, purse, mail, credit card statements, etc. assume an ID thief might be at work so take proper precautions.  Also be aware that cases keep showing up where people are stealing records from companies that employ large amounts of people (even government offices), so watch the news and be aware of this.

"You've Got Mail!" -- Residential Mail Chime

Most of us just leave our mail sitting in the box until we remember to pick it up; if you're like me, you might even forget until after dark.  This is actually a bad idea because of the potential for mail theft.  Someone who rummages through your mailbox could even get enough information from your mail to perpetrate identify theft on you. 

I'm not sure this mail chime will solve the problem 100% (a locking mailbox would be better for that), but it's kind of a neat gadget.  It's basically a sensor that you mount in your mailbox, and then you set the wireless receiver anywhere in your home.  When the mailbox door is opened and the mailman delivers your goodies (or, in my case, bills), a chime will sound to alert you right away.  (This would also be a good way to catch mail thieves if anyone has been tampering with your box of late.)

The mail chime system is available from SmartHome for $50:

Mail Chime

Talk Directly into the Credit Card Please

There's a reason identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes... it's relatively easy to do for people without any criminal expertese.  A discarded bank statement, a rejected credit card application, just knowing someone's mother's maiden names (how many relatives know yours?), by these little things identity theft is perpetrated.  Voice-related biometrics may be the answer.

Biometrics is often associated with retina scans and fingerprint locks, but voice-verification is in the works and would increase phone security (i.e. if someone tries to buy something over the phone using your credit card, but isn't using your voice, the purchase will fail).

More information on how the technology will work and when you can expect to see it at Business Week's May I See Your Voice, Please?

Locking Mailbox for Residential Use

As you've no doubt heard, identity theft is on the rise, and one of the ways would-be ID thieves obtain your personal information is by taking the mail right out of your box.  Once they have a credit card offer (and who doesn't get these on a daily basis?), they can open a new card in your name and charge up the limit.  So, what's the answer?  It might just be a high security locking mailbox. 

The "Secure Mail Vault" is certified by the US Postal Service.  It has a drop chute on top, big enough to accept magazines and packages but designed to prevent anyone from sticking their hand inside to snatch your mail.  The homeowner can open the security mailbox via a deadbolt lock with an electronic keypad.  It's made of steel and built to last.

The Secure Mail Vault runs about $350, and you can order online from shops like Amazon: Energy Technology Labs Secure Mail Vault

Identity Theft Can Hurt Your Ability to Buy/Keep a Home

It's no secret that identity theft is one of the, if not the, fastest growing crimes. We don't always think what that could mean to us, though, beyond replacing credit cards and social security number.  It can effectively destroy your credit rating, which would make it difficult or impossible to obtain a home loan or even a credit card. Fraud, ID Theft Cast Half Billion Dollar Net In 2004 takes a closer look at some of the ramifications based on the government report National And State Trends In Fraud And Identity Theft January - December 2004. If you haven't thought much about identity theft, it's worth taking a look.

Stop Identity Theft

MSN Money has a helpful article with tips for preventing identify theft called 10 ways to stop identity theft cold. Written by the reformed thief that also wrote Catch Me If You Can, the biggest tip he offers is "Don’t think it can’t happen to you."  Those people make the easist targets.  The article offers not only tips but an explanation of why it is so easy to assume someone's identity. If you've shrugged identity theft off until now, this article could be a needed eye opener.

Identity Theft in the Information Age

The exploding population and the increasingly virtual nature of our records and very identities make identity theft a problem that continues to grow. An article by informit.com Identity Theft: Criminal Behavior Meets the Information Age talks about how the "free flow of information has made it easier for the seedier side of human nature to show its ugly face, as criminals get sophisticated enough to steal your very person." Not only does the article discuss the dangers of identity theft, it covers numerous means of protecting yourself whether you use checks, credit cards, or other means for transactions.

Is Identity Theft Protection Worth the Money

An article at bankrate.com examines whether or not identity theft protection is worth the money by taking a look at what plans various banks are offering and at what rates. The plans each offer similar features; perhaps the number #1 question is whether identity theft is enough of a risk to make paying for protection worth the money. According to the article, the Federal Trade Commission reported close to 10 million U.S. identity theft victims. Author Laura Bruce writes, "The losses cost businesses and financial institutions $48 billion and individual victims paid $5 billion in out-of-pocket expenses to correct the damage and prove they were victims, not culprits."

Read: "Is identity theft protection worth the money?"

Prevent Identity Theft While Online

Worried about identity theft from surfing online or simply emailing? It is something worthy of your concern. A recent article from Consumer Reports offers some tips on outwitting identity theft thieves. According to the article, thieves can trick you into giving your information through legitamate looking email, then "abuse your screen identity, use your charge cards (see the overview), and ruin your credit rating."

Read full article: Phishing: Identity-theft spam

Identity Theft Prevention Tips

Worried about identity theft? Here are a few tips to keep you from becoming a victim:

Shred all documents containing your personal information before you throw them away.
Get a copy of your credit report every year and inspect it thoroughly.

Never leave your credit cards in your car or other unsecured places.

Don't put your Social Security Number on your checks.

Every month, review your credit card statements. If there are any suspicious purchases, call the issuing bank.

For more information on identity theft check out these helpful resources:

Identity Theft Prevention and Survival
Identity Theft Information