ID Theft, Protection, And Restoration

When you go online, do you think you’re as safe as a baby in Mom’s arms?  We like to think we’re safe because we have our own special programs and believe nothing can hack through our firewalls, anti-virus or anti-spyware because we use brand name programs hoping for the best. I’m not here to arm wrestle with you over this.

I’m talking about something totally different, online log-in management.  If you shop online, pay bills online, have a home business, you might want to reconsider how you protect your log-in URLs, user names and passwords for the sites you visit.  Keeping track of all log-information is a nightmare for most people.  Keeping this information in your Internet browser, like I used to, was very convenient.  However,  that sensitive information in your browser is the first place hackers, spyware, and viruses look to do the most damage, i.e. identity theft.  What’s a person to do?

Six months ago I found a free software program that manages all my log-in information.  It remembers all your site URLs, your user names and passwords and encrypts that info before it goes over the net to log you in.  With two clicks, you’re logged in.  No muss, no fuss.

I’ve tested and retested it.  It works.  The info backs up to a CD or a little pocket-sized USB device.  That is really cool because when you travel, you can plug your little pocket device into someone else’s computer USB hub and do your online business without trying to remember web site info and log-in information.  Best of all, you can even prevent your children from getting into your information and accidentally wiping it out.  Have a look at this.

YourIndentityDoc,

Nancy Dewitz is co-founder of BTR-Security with personal Identity
Theft solutions tailored to consumers’ specific needs. She and her
partner Robert Listerman are authors of the ebook “The Many Faces of
Identity Theft.” They are consumer advocates and creators of
individualized Identity Protection programs that give you and your
family the options needed to keep your life intact.

If you have an Identity Theft story or experience that you’d like
to share and become part of our upcoming book, please let us know. We’d
love to hear all about it.

Who is to blame if your identity is misused? Do you have any recourse against where or how the thief obtained your identity in the first place? Yes, you do!

When an organization who you have given your PII (personal identifying information; such as social security number, birth date, mother’s maiden name, account numbers, and the list goes on…) to is liable if they have not taken “reasonable steps” to protect your information by the Federal Trade Commission.

This posting is the first in a series that will pertain to laws that any and all organizations must comply with for protecting personal identifying information. If you happen to be responsible for an organization, this series will be important information on what you must do to address Federal Trade Commission compliance issues.

If you are an individual, this series will inform you as to what you can expect from an organization you have entrusted to maintain your Personal Identifying Information in order for you to do business with them. You may be an employee, customer, sub-contractor, or vendor. We will cover how an individual can minimize their liability for fraudulent transactions and how the organization can do the same. Your questions are welcomed as we address these responsibilities on each side of an identity theft incident. So let’s get started…

The law states that if an individual brings notice to an organization that a fraudulent transaction occurred within two business days, the maximum liability they can be held for is $50.00 If the fraudulent transaction is reported to the organization after two days but before 60 days, their maximum liability is $500. If the fraudulent transaction is reported to the organization after 60 days, the organization has full right to expect payment in full from the victim as their statutory limit has expired.

Lesson for the individual: When you receive a statement in the mail from any organization, you must review it immediately for any fraudulent transactions. Failing to do so may mean you will have to honor the transaction in full after 60 days. For more information on how to file an identity theft affidavit see our website for the procedure you must file to make a claim if identity theft.

Lesson for the organization: You must report transactions to your customer on a regular basis or the statutory clock will not start. For more information on how to handle a fraudulent identity theft claim made by an individual see our website for the procedure you must follow to process such a claim. (You will find how to assist victims about half-way down the page.)

In the next part of this series I will cover some examples that victims have reported. If you have any questions in the meantime or examples of your own, please post a reply and I will be sure to address your contribution.

Bob Listerman, CPA, CITRMS
(Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist)