An Average of 12,157,400 Identity Fraud Victims is Reported Each Year. Know how to protect yourself so you don’t become a victim.

Identity Theft can cause a person to be in financial ruin and leave them in a world of grief in a variety of ways. Before we get into the grief, let’s take a look at how one may become a victim.

Have you ever logged into your online banking account on your Smartphone using free Wifi to see if you had enough spending money to purchase that perfect dress you have been looking at the mall?

 It’s great to have access to free WiFi wherever there is a "hotspot" available isn’t it?

How about using your credit card for online shopping as you sit in your favorite coffee or on vacation booking tickets for an event on your laptop while in the comfort of your hotel room?

 What about the websites you shop on from home? 

You might get an amazing deal and even free shipping but how secure are they in protecting your credit card and personal information?

These scenarios seem pretty harmless when you use Free WiFi in places you trust for ordering coffee, away on a trip or even on your own secure network at home.

 Let’s just assume nothing is really free and may come at a price later on.

Did you know hackers could be lurking in places where free WiFi is offered?  These hotspots are like candy stores for them as they collect your information and begin treating themselves to your hard earn savings or even worse selling your information to other criminals.

The damage inflicted on identity theft victims can’t be measured alone by monetary loss. Factor in bad credit, emotional damage and the inability to enhance the quality of your life.

Identity theft can cause a person to be denied for loans in times of hardships, going back to school, purchasing a home or even a vehicle. Those are goals most people have to enrich the quality of their lives and can even be considered necessities if your only transportation to and from work decides to break down.

 Getting an education is a step in the right direction in helping you achieve a better job and higher pay. Purchasing a home for your growing family is something most people want too but having to struggle for solutions because someone took your identity has got to be the worst feeling one can go through because they did not know what to watch out for.

Here are a few tips that will help you protect your identity.

• ·         As your first line of defense, secure your systems (computers, tablets and laptops) with a good firewall and antivirus software. Always make sure your firewall is turned on.
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• ·         If you are using internet service at a hotel, make sure you are connected to the correct network. Some hackers create similar names to hotels to trick unsuspecting guests into logging into an unsecure network. Call the front desk to verify BEFORE connecting.
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• ·         Avoid sharing files using file-sharing sites that offer “free” downloads of software. Again, nothing ever comes without a price. Most of these sites come with spyware, viruses and malicious attacks- among other things you do not want lurking in your system.
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• ·         DO NOT DO FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS ON FREE WIFI! If you absolutely must. Make sure the site begins with https://, not http:// the s indicates it is a secure website. Also, look for a lock symbol in the lower right corner.
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• ·         Disconnect from a network when you are not actively using the Wifi. This will minimize your risks.

Linda Krisko Insurance and Financial offers extensive Identity Theft Coverage. All it takes is one phone call for immediate action.  Coverage includes an assessment to determine if fraud has occurred, direct contact to banks, agencies, creditors and credit card bureaus to stop damage to credit. This protection also covers replacement of important documents such as a driver’s license, social security card, passport and other IDs in addition to an emergency cash advance if theft occurs while victim is away from home.  If that isn’t protections at its best, you are covered up to $25,000 in recovery for expense reimbursement with NO deductible.

Identity Theft protection is perfect for Businesses too!

Identity Theft is a serious matter for individuals who become victims but what about businesses responsible for protecting the identity of their clients?

 If a hacker got a hold of a business files full of personal information it would be a disaster that would most likely lead to bankruptcy due to the costs of investigations, recovery, damaged reputation and an assortment of other costly measures due to the aftermath.