How to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft
A recent exposé on Carte Blanche showed that no one is immune from identity
theft and sophisticated ID theft syndicates are right in our own backyard. The
television programme uncovered a syndicate operating in Soshanguve, a township
near Pretoria, which sells fake Identity documents and identity profiles for
just R3 000 - or more, depending on the credit profile of the identity theft
victim.
The stolen credit profile purchased by the Carte Blanche undercover
investigators included an ID book, bank statements, proof of address… all the
documents required by a seller when anyone applies for credit. In the Carte
Blanche investigation, the identity thief purchased an expensive motor
vehicle, but it doesn't stop there as stolen profiles are also often used to
purchase anything from jewellery to groceries, to open a store account or a
cell phone contract. Generally, thieves will use your identity to purchase
products and services on credit, particularly for high-end goods like
electronics and luxury items,” said Jensen. “In the worst- case scenario,
thieves can use your ID to apply for large value credit purchases such as
vehicle finance or even commit a crime using your identity.
Your identity can be stolen in any number of ways. The syndicates can
intercept banking transactions or hack into sites where you've made a
cyber-purchase; they can obtain information from your social media profiles;
or they can simply steal mail from your postbox or your dustbin - if fact any
document, printed or electronic, that contains your name and any other person
information about you puts you at risk of identity theft.
Because identity thieves are getting smarter and faster at stealing consumers'
personal information, you have to act smart and stay ahead of them.
There are steps you can take to better protect your personal
information, as well as products that keep watch over their identity, even
when they can't.
Ensure all your private correspondence stays private - lock your postbox;
don't throw old accounts away without first destroying them; don't leave
personal documents lying around where others could see them; and protect your
online identity.
RELATED: How to avoid Stokvel Scams
The most important way in which to reduce the risk of online identity theft,
is to create strong passwords.
How to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft
- Don’t carry unnecessary personal information in your wallet or purse.
- Don’t disclose personal information such as passwords and PINs when asked to do so by anyone via telephone, fax or even email.
- Don’t write down PINs and passwords, and avoid obvious choices like birth dates and first names.
- Don't use any Personal Identifiable Information (PII) as a password, user ID or personal identification number (PIN).
- Don’t use Internet Cafes or unsecure terminals (hotels, conference centres etc.) to do your banking.
- Use strong passwords for all your accounts.
- Change your passwords regularly and never share them with anyone else.
- Store personal and financial documentation safely. Always lock it away.
- Keep PIN numbers and passwords confidential.
- Verify all requests for personal information and only provide these when there is a legitimate reason to do so.
- To prevent your ID being used to commit fraud if it is ever lost or stolen, alert the SA Fraud Prevention Service immediately on 0860 101 248 or at safps.org.za.
- Ensure that you have a robust firewall and install antivirus software to prevent a computer virus sending out personal information from your computer.
- When destroying personal information, either shred or burn it (do not tear or put it in a garbage or recycling bag).
- Should your ID or driver's license be stolen report it to the SAPS immediately.
The best way you can protect yourself from identity theft is to constantly
monitor your accounts and credit reports. Most large companies are working
aggressively to protect against identity theft, but you are always the last
– and best – line of defense.
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