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Shredding The Likelihood Of
Identity Theft
by Jamie Lyons
Identity theft has become something of a buzzword over recent years, and
rightly so: in 2007 the CIFAS announced that it costs the UK economy £1.7
billion a year. As technology for banking develops and more personal information
is shared over the internet, new means and methods by which criminals emulate
unsuspecting individuals in order to siphon their funds and take out loans in
their name are created.
In order to safeguard against becoming a victim of online identity theft,
vigilance in conjunction with appropriate software tools are the key. The use of
anti-virus platforms which specifically protect against 'phishing' (attempts to
illicitly obtain an individual's bank details) ensures that malicious programs
aren't unwittingly allowed access to sensitive information. Of equal importance
is the activity of the user, who must be savvy in avoiding suspicious websites
and only provide personal details when certain of the legitimacy of the
recipient.
The necessity of vigilance and awareness in avoiding identity theft extends
with equal importance to the manner in which an individual treats, stores and
disposes of their personal documents and paperwork. With that in mind it seems
prudent to pay due care and attention to a wide range of information which in
the wrong hands could be of severe detriment, including but by no means limited
to:
- Bank information
- Cancelled or blank checks
- Credit card offers
- Credit card information
- Financial statements
- Income tax records
- Insurance coverage
- Investment information
- Legal papers
- Medical records
- Personal bills
With items such as those listed it is imperative that once received, read
and acknowledged they are either stored securely or safely disposed of. If
storing sensitive personal information it is advisable to invest in either a
safe or at the very least a lockable filing cabinet or similar secure storage
unit.
If looking to dispose of sensitive documents it is vital that they are rendered
unreadable prior to discarding. Fraudsters have been known to rummage through
bins in search of bank statements and the like, furthermore, high winds or urban
pests could easily result in personal documents being strewn in public areas.
As such a paper shredder is an indispensible acquisition. By shredding any
document prior to disposal, the risk of someone deciphering the information
previously displayed on it is beyond negligible.
The peace of mind granted by the use of a shredder far outweighs the minimal
cost of the item. By bearing in mind these simple pieces of advice, the chance
of encountering identity theft is dramatically reduced.
Written by Jamie Lyons-
SEO Manchester on behalf of OfficeYoo
Office Supplies
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