Saturday, February 26, 2011

Keep Your Defense Against Bank Identity Theft Solid

By Wayne Allen


One of the unique challenges of living in a digital age is the risk of bank identity theft. Every day more and more people are choosing to shop on the internet and transfer money in the same fashion. The internet has opened new possibilities for every person in the world but it has also introduced us to new dangers. There are a number of things you can do to protect you and your family from bank identity theft.

This is a problem that affects everyone globally but just in the United States identity thieves steal more than $52 billion a year. These criminals are not just stealing from the rich and powerful but are stealing from everyday people who have been less than careful with their sensitive information. No one is safe from this digital crime spree.

One of the most traditional ways to protect your identity is to shred all the documents which may be used to identify you. This includes credit car statements, bank deposit receipts and other sensitive documents which you would not want falling into the wrong hands. This safeguard alone can go a long ways in protecting your assests.

If you are one of the millions who shop online, only buy from trusted and secure websites. Before purchasing anything on the internet, read the site's purchasing and payment terms. Look for the lock in the URL box or in the corner of the display to know that you have a secure connection.

Always make sure that your anti-virus and and anti-spyware are up to date and are working properly. Computer viruses can creep into your computer and access your personal information. These horrid and unfortunate things can scan your entire computer and then post all of the information found within on the internet.

Your local credit union or bank can also help you in the fight to stay protected. Most banks offer some form of identity security which you can take advantage of. They can help give you more ideas on how to keep yourself protected. It is your responsibility to keep yourself and your family protected from bank identity theft.




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