customer data files should cause all of us to take pause about the
safety of our financial identity. This announcement comes only a
couple of months after Bank of America lost information on 1.2 million
customers. While there is nothing you can do to prevent your financial
institution from losing computer data storage tapes, there are a
number of proactive measures you can take to protect your identity.
1) Do not count on corporate America to notify you.
Only one state (California) has laws that require a company to notify
individuals if their personal information has been possibly stolen.
Therefore, you need to be proactive in monitoring your credit history.
2) Keep an eye on your credit.
Take advantage of the recent law that allows consumers to order a free
copy of their credit report (will make it to the East Coast this spring).
According to the Public Interest Research Group, one in four credit
reports has errors that are serious enough to disqualify consumers
from opening a bank account, purchasing a home home or evening getting
a job! Citigroup is encouraging its customers to enroll in a free credit
monitoring service for 90 days.
3) Take proactive steps with anything personal you do online.
For example, when paying your bills online, it is vital to make sure
your computer is armed with the most up-to-date anti-virus software
as well as some type of security or firewall protection. Most sites
require a password and PIN which only work when your Internet browser
is secure and up-to-date.
4) Do not leave your footprints.
Do not check the box that says save password and delete the cookies from
your browser often. When banking online, do not save your information.
You would not leave your drivers license and bank account information
with a teller when you visit a bank, so do not leave this information
on the Internet!
5) Consider identity theft insurance.
The major credit bureaus are now offering identity-theft insurance for
around $100 a year. For example, Equifax will provide you with unlimited
credit reports, alert you to major changes in your history and provide
$20,000 worth of identity-theft insurance. Additionally, policy holders
will have a special hotline they can call if their identity is stolen
and are also entitled to up to $4,000 for lost salary in case you have
to take a leave of absence to fix any credit-related issues. Before
you sign up for this insurance, contact the provider of your homeowner's
insurance as you may already be covered if your identity is stolen.
Citigroup on Monday said the lost data files only affect accounts with
CitiFinancial. If you have one of these accounts and are concerned your
identity may have been compromised, you should call your local CitiFinancial
branch. Additionally, you can call the dedicated hotline Citi has set
up at 1-866-452-2484.
How To Avoid Being 'Phished'
- Do not use Web links in a suspicious e-mail to access a Web page.
Instead, call the company or type the main Web address directly into
your browser. - Do not disclose personal information online unless it
is over a secure connection. You know a Web site is secure if it
begins with https:// rather than http://. - Download a free Web browser
toolbar that will alert you if you try to access a known phishing
Web site. The Anti-Phishing Working Group recommends Earthlink's ScamBlocker,
which can be downloaded for free at http://www.earthlink.net/earthlinktoolbar. - Check your credit card and bank statements and other online accounts
regularly to ensure there are no discrepancies. - Make sure your computer
has the most up-to-date security patches.
If you receive phishing e-mails, forward the entire message, header
included, to the following places:
- Anti-Phishing Working Group: reportphishing@antiphishing.com
- Federal
Trade Commission: mailto:sapm@uce.gov%20
Additionally, you should file a complaint with the Internet Fraud Complaint
Center of the FBI (www.ifccfbi.gov) and notify the company that has been
victimized.
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