We’re back with one more round of common ways thieves gain access to your personal identifying info and how to prevent being a victim:

• Phishing. Thieves send fake emails that appear to be from your bank, credit union, or online services/merchants like PayPal. Those emails contain links to fraudulent sites designed to steal your personal info or passwords.
• Prevent this theft by never clicking a link in an email from a merchant or financial institution. If the email seems legitimate and contains something you need to check out, go to the official web site by typing the real address in your browser and navigate from there.
• Change of Address Forms. It’s easy for a third party to submit a change of address form to your creditors or to the post office to divert your mail, giving them easy access.
• Prevent this theft by double checking with the post office if you stop receiving mail, and password protecting your credit card accounts with good, strong passwords.
• Computer viruses. One objective of computer viruses is to capture your online passwords and give thieves access to sensitive files you may have on your computer.
• Prevent this theft by using good up-to-date virus protection, and setting up a firewall to protect your computer network from intruders.
• Social Networking. Thieves can use social networking sites to find out a lot of information about you. If you post that you are on vacation, anyone who has access to your postings will know that your home is unprotected. Your social networking profile may also provide enough info for thieves to figure out your security questions like “where did you attend elementary school,” “what was your high school mascot,” or the names of your pets.
• Prevent this theft by only “friending” people you actually know, and rejecting friend requests from people you don’t recognize. Also, limit how much information you share on your online profile, and make sure none of that info coincides with your bank or credit cards’ security questions.

There are other ways thieves can get your information, of course, but some basic principles apply universally. Don’t share your personal info unless absolutely necessary, and even then, be careful how you share. Keep your data secure online, at home, and at work, and be diligent about protecting your identity as you navigate your daily life.

For more information, download our free eBook, “ID Theft: Protecting and Restoring Your Good Name,” or check out our online course on Identity Theft Prevention, available here in our FIT Academy. For more information about National Protect Your Identity Week (NPYIW) or to find a local PYIW event near you, visit ProtectYourIDNow.org.

Related articles:

• Identity Theft Prevention Guide, Part Three
• Identity Theft Prevention Guide, Part Two
• Identity Theft Prevention Guide, Part One
• Identity Theft Thieves Prey On Consumers in Many Ways
• What is Medical Identity Theft and How Can I Avoid It?