Free Article: Prevent Identity Theft

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A Few Steps That Need To Be Taken To Prevent Identity Theft
By Bill Southgate

Identity theft is not only the fastest growing white collar crime but, is rapidly becoming more sophisticated and involves hacking databases as well as phishing or, sending dud emails from companies that appear to be legitimate and, trying to collect personal information through fraudulent means. Businesses in particular, cannot be lax in protecting customer's personal information and, neither should they be unable to protect their own personal information. This gives rise to the need to prevent identity theft from occurring and, for that to become reality, there is need to follow basic security practices to provide physical protection to the customer's personal information as well as for the business's own data.

Securing the Premises

To prevent identity theft, one would need to ensure that information systems, such as computer networks, do not become sitting ducks for identity thieves. Businesses may need to prevent identity theft from occurring by securing their premises with alarm systems and security locks. A business should ensure that there are deadlocks on their external doors and, exposed windows should be secured using film, bars, screens and shatter-proof glass.

Another useful measure a business can take to prevent identity theft is to store its physical business records that include customer records as well as other data on paper and, keep them secured in locking filing cabinets that should be locked at night as well as when not being accessed by staff. In addition, business records should never be put in the trash or recycling bin where they might prove to be a bonanza for any lurking identity thieves. Rather, one should shred these pieces of information and, for small and home businesses they should purchase cheap shredders while for large volume documents, companies may make use of shredding services. Mail is another favorite of the identity thief and, should be carefully handled.

Keep Personal Information Private

Never give personal information on the phone as there are many who pretend to be somebody that they are not and, thus elicit personal information in this manner. Only after positively confirming the identity of the person on the other end of the phone, should personal information be divulged. Also, the computer network should be password protected so that no unauthorized person can gain access to the network. In addition, there is also need for internal security measures and, only those who must have access to information should be allowed and, all others should be excluded.

There is also need to prevent identity theft by preventing hackers from gaining access to the computers being used and, one should be aware of the dangers that the Internet poses. One should also not broadcast information publicly and, there should be a companywide security policy that is created and, enforced for all. Even though all these measures to prevent identity theft may cause a lot of trouble and expense, with rampant identity theft becoming commonplace, these steps should help minimize the risk and, deter identity thieves from attacking and gaining access to personal information.

Author Details:
Bill Southgate writes for various websites about various things including identity theft with a great interest in home security

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