According to the Federal Trade Commission, 9 million Americans are victims of identity theft each year. Identity thieves use personal information such as names and social security numbers to open accounts and obtain employment. Victims can spend considerable resources and even be arrested as a result of identity theft.
One of the most common places for thieves to obtain information is online and shopping on the internet can lead to identity theft. There are several ways to protect your identity from theft while shopping:
Your Computer
Always use your home computer when shopping for purchases and never use a public computer to make purchases. Public computers tend to have spyware that can make your information easily obtainable. Places for public computers include, but aren’t limited to:
- Internet Cafes
- Hotel Computers
- Libraries
- Airport Terminals
To prevent spyware from being loaded on your own computer, perform the regular security updates from companies such as Microsoft, Adobe, and Apple and make sure you have activated the security features on your wireless connection.
Once online, manually type in the address for the companies if you are making a purchase. This will ensure that you are on their website and not a fake website trying to obtain your information. Email messages with links to online stores are a common phishing scam. Never email your financial information or send it via instant message.
Get Information about the Company
You should obtain the following information about a company to ensure a legitimate purchase:
- Physical Address
- Telephone Number
- Privacy Policy
- Shipping and Return Policies
Privacy policies should inform the consumer as to why their information is being collected and how the company will use it. If any part of the privacy policy is unclear, find another on-line store.
Use Secure Sites
There are two common ways to make sure your shopping experience is secure:
- The website address begins with https instead of http.
- Your web browser also has a padlock icon. If the padlock is closed, the site has a secure connection.
Some sophisticated scams may use these to lure customers. Although these indicators aren’t foolproof, they greatly reduce incidents of identity theft
Use Credit Cards
Online transactions in the U.S. are protected by the Fair Credit Billing Act. The Act limits liability if there are unauthorized charges to $50.00. Some cards and retail companies offer additional liability protection if there is a dispute.
Do not store your numbers on individual retail sites. This limits the opportunity for thieves to obtain your credit card information.
Carefully review billing statements to ensure that the purchases reflect the amount on the receipts and shipping statements sent to you. Additionally, obtain a copy of your credit records to ensure no accounts have been opened in your name. Credit reporting companies provide one report per year for free.
If you happen to be a victim of identity theft, report it to the Federal Trade Commission, www.ftc.gov/complaint. The Federal Trade Commission provides additional information about protecting yourself online at http://onguardonline.gov