reduce identity theft?

Question

What countermeasures can individuals, lawmakers, and police take to reduce identity theft?

Answer 1

As an individual you can start by not carrying your social security card with you, by not providing it unless it is asked for, and by shredding all mail.
Additionally, do not put mail in your mailbox to be picked up by the Postal Carrier. ID thieves work in groups and "harvest" checks put in the mail to be picked up by the Postal Carrier.
Do not provide personal information over the phone, including your name. If the caller is persistent, hang up.
Treat all requests for personal information via e-mail, as "phishing." Go to the web site that has your personal information and change it there or contact the web site regarding their request.

Lawmakers can help by enacting stricter sentencing guidelines for persons convicted of identity theft.

Other than heightening public awareness, most Police Departments are restricted to whatever their budget and the legislation allows.

Answer 2

I also agree with CGIV76. In spite of all you do, you can still become a victim because so many businesses lose data or their computer systems are hacked or someone loses a laptop with vital records.

All business must comply with the FTC ruling requiring businesses to have a written identity theft program in place by 1/1/2008. And it will be mandatory by 11/1/2008 or face heavy fines. But I think data will still get lost or stolen.

There are so many things you need to do to protect yourself that you don't have time to deal with them all. On average, victims of identity theft spend 40 hours cleaning up the mess that someone else created.

You have 5 identities that need protecting: Your Character ID, Drivers License ID, Financial ID, Social Security ID, and your Medical ID.

You need just 3 things in place to protect yourself. Access to an attorney (24hrs), your credit reports monitored and a company that provides identity restoration services.

Are you fed up yet? Write to me today.
I'm a Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist.
[e-mail]

Answer 3

Individuals should shred all of their papers and not carry around SSI #`s. Also stop mail when going on vacation.
Lawmakers should fine any business that has lost or been hacked into and id`s stolen.
Police should take home invasions and theft seriously.

Answer 4

you're singling out the left and possible misconstruing type and way of life. isn't the splendid attempting to do the comparable element? in spite of each and every thing, the GOP is pushing to eliminate references to slavery from textual content books in Texas. they are attempting to whitewash (pun meant) our history to in advantageous condition right into a extra "advantageous" view. isn't that destryoing our lifestyle? We got here right here as conquerors and slavers. We geared up this u . s . on the backs of minorities and we weren't the forward thinking innovative people who the GOP is making an attempt to make us have faith we've been. You point out how religious identity is being pushed to a unmarried denominator, yet once you knew something approximately religious history, you will possibly see that christianity/catholism is the final identity thief ever. each and every tale, each and every image, all of this is cutting-edge in in the previous religions. it fairly is fairly produced from the significant areas of alternative religions. How is that no longer mass identity theft? the 1st a million/2 of the bible is JEWISH SCRIPTURE, actually stolen from an latest faith. in case you think of permitting women human beings the possibility to earn as much as their male opposite numbers is circuitously reducing gender definitions, then i think sorry on your virgin self.

Answer 5

buy a onilne program that tracks the progress of you credit report.

Answer 6

Get rid of everything you have. That way you will have nothing for the crook to take!

Answer 7

there is copyright, patents. these instruments of law can help =)