How to avoid being an identity fraud victim

How to avoid being an identity fraud victim

The rise in the use of smartphones and social media by incautious consumers fueled the increase in identity fraud, and 2011 was a year of several big data breaches. Someone whose personal information is taken in a data breach ( high-profile thefts, such as the attacks on Sony Corp's PlayStation network in April 2011) is 9.5 times more likely to become a victim of identity fraud, Javelin found.

How to avoid being an identity fraud victim

• Password protect your home and mobile devices. Avoid exposing personal information that can be used by someone else for identity verification.
• Be careful about the apps you download. Only download through a service that monitors the apps, such as iTunes.
• Share information carefully when you are on a public wifi network.
• Monitor your credit cards by checking their use online or reading the statements carefully. Quickly report to your credit card issuer if you see any suspicious transactions.
• Take data breach notifications seriously. If your data has been accessed, consider subscribing to a credit-monitoring service, which is often is offered for free for a year by the company that had been breached.

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