Following the steep rise in the incidence of identity theft over recent years, a number of federal agencies have clubbed together to issue revised guidance to consumers about sensible precautions you can take to stay out of the grips of the fraudsters.
Top of the list is being careful with your personal financial information. For example, make sure you keep critical details such as your Social Security number out of the way of prying eyes. Never supply identifying details – including other key passwords – unless you have initiated the contact.
“Do not be intimidated by an email or caller who suggests dire consequences if you do not immediately provide or verify financial information,” the agencies advise.
If you think you are the victim of identity theft, don’t hang around. Tell your credit card company immediately, and ask it to place fraud alerts on your account with immediate effect. Swift action in such instances can save both time and money.
The agencies are also concerned by the rise in so-called phishing attacks, where fraudsters pose as reputable companies and seek to trick individuals into clicking on links to fake sites and submitting private financial details.
Whenever in doubt, do not click on links supplied in unsolicited emails. Instead, go direct to the website’s main address and navigate from there, safe in the knowledge you are on the legitimate site.
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