Protect Against Identity Theft

By Nicole Wiseman and Chris Howell, NewsOn6.com

TULSA, OK -- The Federal Trade Commission estimates as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year.

October 19-25, 2008 is National Protect Your Identity Week.

Sergeant Tim Stadler with the Tulsa Police Department Cyber Crime Unit says many thieves are using the Internet to become more advanced in their schemes. He says it's fairly easy for someone to trick you online and steal your identity.

A common way your identity is stolen is through e-mail.

Sergeant Stadler says often times people will respond to spam, or unsolicited e-mail.

That e-mail may claim you've just won the lottery. However, to claim your prize, you'll have to submit your personal information. Detectives say don't fall for it.

You might also get an e-mail that looks as if it is from a friend. It may be in the form of an online greeting card. Detectives say if you don't know who is sending the e-mail, don't open it.

In some cases when you open those e-mails, a virus and spyware are downloaded onto your computer. That gives up any and all personal information you have stored on your computer, such as bank account logins and passwords and credit card information.

Sergeant Stadler says there are a few easy things you can do to prevent identity theft.

He says to install a firewall and antivirus software onto your computer. If you visit chat rooms, don't give out any personal information. Most importantly, be aware. When you're online, criminals are too. So, be mindful of your actions. This means watch what e-mails you open. You should know exactly who they're from.

Sergeant Stadler says identity theft is the biggest problem for the Tulsa Police Department's Cyber Crime Unit.

"The problem is your criminal element is taking so many different angles to try and attack people to obtain their information that sometimes people get overwhelmed and accidentally open something or respond to something that they shouldn't have," said Sergeant Tim Stadler, Cyber Crime Unit.

More tips to prevent identity theft:

• Don't open spam, delete it unread
• Never respond to spam as it will confirm to the sender that it is a live e-mail address
• Have primary and secondary e-mail addresses
•          One for people you know, one for all other purposes
• Avoid giving out your e-mail address unless you know how it will be used
• Never purchase anything advertised through an unsolicited e-mail

• Be suspicious of any unsolicited e-mail requesting personal information
• Avoid filling out forms in an e-mail message that asks for personal information
• Always compare the link in the e-mail to the link that you are actually directed to
• Log on to the official website instead of linking to it from an unsolicited e-mail
• Contact the actual business that has supposedly sent the e-mail to verify the e-mail is genuine

• If lottery winnings appear too good to be true, they probably are
• Be leery if you don't remember entering a lottery or contest
• Be cautious if you receive telephone calls stating you're a winner of a lottery
• Be aware of a lottery that charges a fee prior to delivery
• Be weary of demands to send additional money to be eligible for future winnings

Click on the associated links to learn more on identity theft protection!