Today is our first installment of our new feature expert answers on the Blog NextAdvisor. We are very pleased to welcome our guest expert and identity theft inaugural Robert Siciliano.
Robert Siciliano is CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com, a professional speaker and TV news correspondent, security analyst and author. It offers presentations in the United States and Canada on protection against identity theft, information and personal security. the thoughts and advice of Siciliano on all these issues often appear in both television and print media news, including CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, FOX, Forbes and USA Today. He has 25 years of safety training as a member of the American Society for Industrial Security. He is the author of two books, including The Safety Minute: Living on high alert; How to take control of your personal safety and prevent fraud.
NextAdvisor.com: How did you become aware of the identity theft threat
Robert Siciliano I hacked early 90 My company has been the victim of many forms of fraud by credit card. Shortly after a family friend had stolen his identity card. At the time, late 90s, the application of the law was not clued in crime. I worked with the victim and we learned that the perp was. She was eventually arrested and had 45 previous arrests for fraud. When convicted, she received a suspended sentence of one year. A "slap on the wrist" as they say I knew then that identity theft would be the greatest thing ever
NA:.. What is the greatest risk of theft identity that people face today
RS: financial identity theft is most prevalent with nearly half of identity theft being card fraud. credit, including existing accounts or new account fraud. However the criminal identity theft is much more insidious because an identity thief can actually live like you and commit crimes you. once stopped, then bail, they jump the court, then there are warrants for your arrest. Criminal identity theft can result in false convictions on your record such as assault, rape, drug offenses or worse. but the most frightening and potentially deadly is medical identity theft. Not only the identity thief winning medical procedures, insurance money and drugs, they can actually change your medical records potentially causing life threatening errors on your file.
NA: What is the biggest myth of identity theft
RS: There is Myth 2. " you must protect your social security number. " It is not possible. Your SSN is everywhere and already in the hands of thieves. The second is that "identity theft protection" protects you from every angle. At best, some, not all, protective products against identity theft protect your financial identity to a point. But nothing protects you 100%.
NA: What are the best means of identity theft protection available to consumers
RS: There are many. The most effective way to lock your personal identity with a credit freeze. A credit freeze prevents anyone from checking your credit, which means they usually give you credit because they can not determine your ability to repay the lender. However, a credit freeze is awkward and not the best form of protection for anyone who needs access to credit fluid. The best option is a fraud alert. A fraud alert prompts a creditor to contact the "owner" of the credit report before granting credit to determine the authenticity of the transaction. This service is free for the do-it-your-selfers and last for 90 days. This means a re-do manual every 90 days to be effective. For most people with $ 99.00 a year to spare, invest in services that provide ongoing fraud alert for you is most effective.
NA: What advice would you give to parents who are concerned about the child's identity theft
RS: You should worry, because his real and it happens every day. And worry about strangers, but worry more about ex-husbands, wives, friends, and friends who have / had access to your children data. That said, there arent many protections for children. Some companies will however have fraud alerts to credit bureaus every 90 days in the name of your child. This is a proactive step.
NA: What is the most important thing people can do to protect themselves from being a victim of identity thieves
RS: identity theft is a prehistoric giant octopus. Learn about the many facets of the problem and learn your options to defend against each leg of this monster.
You can learn more about Robert Siciliano visiting IDTheftSecurity.com. For more information on identity theft protection services, visit our Identity Theft protection services reviews and comparison.