» Identity Theft and How to Protect Yourself «

They really are out to get you. Don't make it easy for them!

I don't know the real figures, but I've seen claims of 1 in 10 people affected, so it's high enough to make you paranoid if you have any sense.

What is this menace and how does it work, and just how real is the risk?

It is said that everyone knows 'someone' who has had it done to them. Certainly I know a few, even outside computer circles and issues. The personal cost is put into the billions - every year - in every country.

Risks include:

• Disgruntled ex-partners or employees running up bills in your name.
• Keyloggers and other viruses stealing your details and emptying bank accounts
• Thieves / burglars stealing passwords etc and getting benefits, credit cards and generally running up bills
• Clued up thieves rifling your rubbish bins and trash cans for bank statements, current phone bills etc, getting bank loans in your name and so forth.

And it is frighteningly easy to do, as many Horizon type documentaries have shown.

Shred everything before you dispose of it, keep your documents hidden and when it comes to being online, if you aren't paranoid now, they will eat you alive! Firewall(s) and up to the minute antivirus, spyware blockers and cleaners and Spam blockers are a must as a minimum.