Suggested IT Security Resources
Protecting Your Identity
Keeping you safe
Identity theft occurs when someone uses another person's personally identifiable information (PII) – such as date of birth, Personal Public Service (PPS) number, or credit card numbers – to commit fraud or other crimes. In almost all cases, identity theft victims experience some type of financial loss.
How does identity theft happen?
Now that we store and transmit most of our information digitally, there are a more ways a thief can obtain PII. An organization’s computer network can be compromised to collect thousands of records at once. However, some of the easiest attacks, such as phishing emails, involve tricking individuals into giving up their PII. Since tricking an individual is often easier than tricking a firewall, these types of attacks are extremely common.
How do I protect my identity?
The longer a criminal has access to personal information, the more damage they can do. A study conducted by the Bureau of Justice Statistics* showed that nearly half of identity theft victims were not aware of any suspicious activity on their accounts until they were contacted by their financial institution.
One of the most important steps is to monitor your accounts so that you know if your identity is compromised. Take advantage of free services provided by your bank, credit card companies, and other institutions that give you notifications when transactions occur. You can also subscribe to fee-based commercial products to monitor your accounts and credit rating.
Warning signs
Below are some warning signs of possible identity theft according to the Federal Trade Commission.**
- You receive notice that your information was compromised by a data breach at a company where you do business or have an account
- Withdrawals from your bank account you can’t explain
- Expected bills (or other mail) are not received
- Your checks or credit cards are declined
- Debt collectors call you about debts that aren’t yours
- Unfamiliar accounts or charges appear on your credit report
Never feel rushed to click on a link or post. There is nothing more urgent than our online safety. Whenever, you find yourself in a situation where you are unsure or suspicious, always defer to the Service Desk.