Every day consumers share personal information with others around them in a variety of settings. Because this is so routine, many consumers don't think twice when initiating transactions that force them to share personal information such as bank and credit card account information, income or even social security numbers. National nonprofit
"It is more important than ever to make sure your transactions, online and off, are secure and your personal information is protected," said
According to Safe Smart Living, every three minutes 19 people fall victim to identity theft. According to 2017 IBM X-Force, the number of records compromised in 2016 grew 566 percent from 600 million to more than 4 billion. It is estimated that cybercriminals were paid
1. Find out how personal information will be used – Before revealing any personal information, find out how it will be used and if it will be shared with others. Be sure to ask about the company's privacy policy.
2. Read the privacy policy – Be sure to read all privacy policies – especially on websites directed to children. Websites that collect information from children under 13 must post a notice on their information collection practices.
3. Password protection – be sure to put passwords on all accounts such as a bank account, credit card account and phone account. For the most protection, consumers should avoid using passwords that contain their date of birth or mother's maiden name as this information can be easily accessible.
4. Keep personal information in a safe place - Consumers should shred or tear any receipts, insurance forms, bank statements, expired credit cards and mailing labels when discarding to prevent identity thieves from capturing personal information.
5. Avoid giving out account details to unknown sources – Many identity thieves use phishing scams to gain access to consumers' accounts. These scammers usually email or call and pose as a bank or credit card company employee asking to confirm account information. Consumers should hang up and call the number on the back of their card to confirm they're speaking to a legitimate staff member.
- For credit counseling, call 800-769-3571
- For bankruptcy counseling, call 866-826-6924
- For housing counseling, call 866-826-7180
- Or visit us online at http://www.ConsumerCredit.com
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Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2017/04/prweb14226824.htm
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