Frightening, Isn't it?
Well, I'm here today to put your mind at ease. And to start that process, I want you to ask
yourself this question: Do you
personally know anyone who has lost their life savings to someone who stole
their identity?
If you answered that question as I think you did, in the
negative, then you are not alone. I do
not know of anyone in that category either.
What is more to the point, I am not overly worried about someone
stealing my identity or, for that matter, stealing my life savings or even the
meager amount of money in my checking account.
I cannot describe your situation, but I do know that my
financial institutions will not transfer any funds from my accounts to anyone
else's without first contacting me to determine whether I truly authorized the
transfer. In fact, I cannot transact
any business in cash, stocks or bonds without getting a message of confirmation
that also requests that I contact the company if there is any mistake in the
transaction.
I only have two credit cards and no debit cards, and they
are both flagged for any credit transaction above an amount that I
specify. I set that limit fairly low, well
below that usual plastic ceiling of $500.
If anyone were to access my account or get my card, and they try that
'test purchase' for $495 to see if it goes through, it won't. Instead, I'll be notified by the credit card
company to determine whether or not I want to accept the transaction. Gotcha, thief!
Of course, there are also other safeguards that I take to
protect myself, such as never using a credit card for any purchase where it
leaves my sight for any period of time, which always happens at restaurants,
nor using one for an online purchase from any website that is not encrypted
(https), nor clicking on links in unsolicited email messages that require a log
in or other personal data. I also
monitor my credit card purchases for any activity that I didn't initiate.
Changes in profile, such as address, phone numbers or email
addresses are also subject to a confirmation from me.
Lost or stolen wallet or purse? I have photocopied every credit card and any other card that
shows membership which I have in my wallet.
A single sheet of paper will hold 8 photocopied cards. If there is a security code on the back of
the card, I write that code plus any phone number right under that card copy for
reporting lost or stolen cards. I keep
the photocopy in my carry-on suitcase - NEVER IN A BAG I WILL CHECK. If my
wallet is ever lost or stolen, I can immediately notify all companies and
either freeze or cancel the accounts, depending on the situation.
Large transactions, if I'm fortunate enough to have the funds
to make them, will usually require me to send a signed letter or fax before
they can be executed.
What I'm trying to convey here is that my personal and
financial information is not out there waiting for someone to steal it without
my knowledge. There are safeguards to
prevent that.
Even when hackers get into the database of some department
store or other company where I have an account - and I assure you that I have
fewer than I can count on the fingers of one hand - those safeguards are still
in place. Nobody can steal my identity
without my immediate knowledge.
I am not overly superstitious, so the fact that I'm
publishing this for the whole world to see doesn't make it any more likely that
I'll be a target for identity theft, real or unreal. I am cautious, however, in that I do not and will not ever
join any social network or put my personal data online.
