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Important Tips to Keep Your Identity Safe for the Holidays
The Holidays are finally here. We get to spend time with family and friends that we so rarely get to do other times of the year. Many of us will socialize with friends in restaurants, brave the malls to find the perfect gifts, or shop online from the convenience of our own homes. No matter how you spend your holidays, it important to keep in mind that it is also a time of increased risk for financial and identity theft. Below, I have listed a few easy tips that will help reduce your risks of becoming a victim to ensure that this season is a safe and happy one for you are yours.

Online Shopping Security
In my last newsletter (Fall 2007), I discussed how Power LogOn can make your online shopping safer and more convenient. I received many email comments back thanking me for the information. Using Power LogOn's instant form fill and protected credit card transaction functions made their online purchases quicker, more secure and error free.

To use these features, simply click on either the "Address" or "Payment" tab found on Power LogOn's main screen, click "New", fill in the appropriate information (or customize the fields by clicking the "More" button) and then save the data to the card. Now when you have to fill in a form, simply open Power LogOn, click on the appropriate tab and listing to drag the required information to the appropriate field. Power LogOn will hold multiple addresses and credit card accounts safely on your smartcard.

I welcome your comments, questions and recommendations. Thank you for your continued support!

Have a very happy and safe holiday,

Sincerely,

Dovell Bonnett
Founder & CEO
Access Smart, LLC
 
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10 Holiday Shopping Tips to Reduce Your Risks of Identity Theft. 

It seems that as the holiday decorations come out, so do all the thieves who use multiple tactics to steal your money and identity. First, realize that you can never completely eliminate the risk of identity theft. Like any crime, this will always be part of our society. What you can do is to set up obstacles to make the process more difficult, so the thief will look elsewhere for easier victims. Here are a few rules to follow:

  1. Only carry in your purse or wallet credit cards and information you need for that day. If you only will be using one credit card that day, then remove the rest and leave them at home. This way you limit your exposure should you encounter a pick pocket or purse snatcher..
  2. Keep a low credit limit on your credit cards. This way if your card is stolen you can limit the damages.
  3. Don't use or allows anyone to use your social security number or driver's license number as an account or identification number.
  4. Don't write or have others write your driver's license on your checks.
  5. For online and computer security, you need to have a password manager, anti-malicious software (i.e. Anti-virus, anti-spamming, anti-keyloggers, anti-spyware, etc), data encryption software and a router between your computer and cable modem. If you know anyone who does not have any of these, they make great holiday presents as well!
  6. Whenever a telemarketer, merchant or attendant asks for personal information, question why they need it and -- in most cases -- don't give it to them. Something as simple as your birthplace or part of your birthday is personal information you need to protect.
  7. When filling out online registration forms, don't give them all your personal information. Also, uncheck any boxes where they ask if they can give their affiliates permission to contact you.
  8. Write down every card that is in your wallet along with the contact numbers, so you can contact everyone in case your wallet is lost or stolen. Be sure to keep this list in a safe place.
  9. DO NOT TRUST any email that says your recent order cannot be processed without authenticating you with your driver's license number, account password or any other personal information. Legitimate merchants do not send such emails.
  10. Check your credit card and bank statements weekly online to spot any suspicious activity. This can save you a lot of problems later by reducing your exposure.
  11. Bonus - Be careful when using check payment cards. If these are ever lost or stolen the thief has direct access to your checking account, and the liability protections are not the same as those of a credit card. 

Get our FREE book "Online Identity Theft Protection For Dummies® - Power LogOn edition" at our website: www.access-smart.com to learn more tips and tricks to keep your business secure.

Train employees to look out for Identity Theft.

Every business and merchant wants that holiday sale. However, if an expensive product is bought using a stolen or bogus credit card, the company will loose much more than the sale. Since the credit card companies may not honor the transaction, the merchant is likely out both the price of the product and the product itself. They will likely still have to pay the manufacturer for the lost item and the sales person their commissions check, if the fraud is not detected immediately. Finally, if a merchant gets too many theft claims, its insurance premiums may be increased. Here are a few simple training tips to help avoid these costly losses.

 
  1. Always have the sales clerk ask to see a picture ID.
  2. If the age or sex on the ID does not match that of the person, ask for additional ID. If need be, let the clerk know that the store manager is there to help.
  3. If a credit report is required for a large item purchase or credit, look over the report to see if the personal information matches that of the person in the showroom. If there is any doubt, have them come back the next day. If you tell a legitimate customer that you are verifying their information for their own protection, a good customer will thank you and return.
  4. Finally, reward those employees that treat security seriously.

The holidays can make or break a retail business. Just don't let a fabulous sales period end up breaking the company.


 Final Thoughts

You don't need to be paranoid about security. The general rule is that you want to make the task of someone using false identity so time consuming and difficult, that you make them look somewhere else for easier prey. By following a few simple, common-sense practices, you will greatly reduce your odds of being violated. 

While I have outlined only a fraction of ways to protect and monitor your company's security, you may want to get our FREE book "Online Identity Theft Protection For Dummies® - Power LogOn edition" at our website: www.access-smart.com to learn more tips and tricks to keep your business secure.