I recently read two great articles about new tools available to protect against identity theft. PC World’s Dan Tynan reviewed four different companies that will set and maintain fraud alert on your credit report requiring lenders to verify your identity before issuing credit in your name. Since the flags expire every 90 days, these companies, Debix, LifeLock, LoudSiren, and TrustedID, manage and renew them for you – for a monthly fee.
The services work differently, but guarantee that they’ll protect you against identity theft. Dan and his team put each company to the test and found that the results were widely inconsistent. Even LifeLock wasn’t fool proof. You may have seen their commercial where the founder plasters his own Social Security number throughout the ad as proof that his system works. Well, someone in Texas successfully used that number to take out a $500 loan. LifeLock admitted they made a mistake and subsequent tests proved more stringent; plus, their $1 million service guarantee covers cases like this. (Read the full article.) So, when you measure the cost against the potential for fraud, you may find that this type of service will work quite well for you.
Another great article, How to Avoid Cons That Can Lead to Identity Theft by Walt Mossberg in All Things Digital from The Wall Street Journal, lays out seven tips for avoiding “social engineering” – the online scams that criminals use to steal your money and plant malicious software on your computer. Even though you may have software to screen for viruses and spyware, he says you can’t rely on technology alone.
Here are his common-sense tips (abbreviated) for protecting yourself while surfing the Web and using e-mail. Be sure to read the full article for complete details.
- Never, ever click on a link embedded in an email that appears to come from a financial institution
- Don’t click on links to offers for free software or goods that you receive in an email
- Never download software from unfamiliar Web sites
- Don’t download special viewing software to see videos on a Web site
- Use a Web browser that includes built-in features to warn you about, or block access to, known phishing sites
- Consider security software that tries to detect and block phishing sites
- Educate yourself by reading about social engineering and phishing and how to avoid being a victim
If you find these tips and tools helpful, you might consider monitoring the two blogs above for more useful information.
Been a victim of identity theft? Tell us your story – or tell us about other tools you use to protect yourself. It will help everyone.
Shari Willman
Peachtree Product Manager
Message Edited by ShariW on 06-10-2008 12:58 PM
AndreaM
on:
What exactly is PCI?
pguru
on:
The DVR is broken! Everybody panic!!
MikeS
on:
Product Review: GoToAssist Express
