Kay Robinson: BBB Report

The good news is that identity theft is on the decline. The bad news is that it still affected 8.1 million Americans last year, according to Javelin Strategy and Research - down 3.6 percent from 8.4 million in the previous year's study.

The average amount lost per individual as a result of ID theft last year was about $5,500, for a total of $45 billion. Despite the decline in reported ID theft, the Better Business Bureau warns that thieves and hackers still lurk online and is offering advice consumers can use to protect their personal and financial information.

ID theft prevention should always be on people's minds when they are online. When it comes to protecting identity, an ounce of prevention is worth far more than the amount of money, energy and agony that goes into getting a life back to normal after financial and personal information have been stolen.

The BBB recommends consumers take fives steps to prevent ID theft when online:

1. Don't fall for a phishing e-mail.

Phishing - using e-mail or phone calls to pose as a trustworthy organization in order to coerce sensitive information from victims - is on the rise.

Phishing e-mails can look legitimate with graphics and official logos of banks, government agencies or credit card companies. The e-mails usually include hyperlinks that direct the victim to a Web site designed to install viruses and malware or solicit bank account or Social Security numbers.

In order to prevent ID theft through phishing e-mails, computer users should completely delete unsolicited e-mails from banks, credit unions, investment firms and government agencies with which they do not already have an established relationship. If the recipient does have an existing relationship with the supposed originator of the e-mail, he or she should first call the organization to confirm whether the e-mail is legitimate.

2. Create strong passwords and protect them.

Developing a habit of regularly changing passwords makes it much more difficult for ID thieves to steal personal information. Some passwords, however, are stronger than others. Attributes of a secure password include a combination of numbers, capitalized letters and even symbols. Consumers should never use sensitive information for passwords such as Social Security numbers, mother's maiden names or birthdays.

3. Be safe and secure when on the go.

Computer users on the go should be wary of entering passwords or sensitive information into a computer that isn't theirs, such as at an Internet cafe, library, computer lab or airport kiosk. Hackers can actually record their target's keystrokes to learn passwords and other information.

Wi-Fi networks, either on the road or in the consumer's own house, present even more opportunities for ID thieves. The easiest way to protect a Wi-Fi network at home is to not broadcast the Service Set Identifier (more information on this topic is available at www.us.bbb.org).

4. Guard personal computers with anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall protection.

A computer must have good anti-virus software, as well as anti-spyware and firewall protection. Consumers can purchase protective software, but there are also a number of reputable, free programs available for download online.

5. Only transfer information over a secure server.

BBB advises consumers to make sure they are on a secure server by checking the URL of the page when asked to give any personal information. An unsecured URL will look like this: http://www.###.com. A secure server will have an "s" either in front of or following the "http", and it will look like this: https://www.###.com or shttp://www.###.com.

For more trustworthy information on preventing ID theft, as well as BBB advice on what to do if your identity is stolen, go to www.bbb.org.

Kay Robinson is president of the Better Business Bureau of Central East Texas, serving 19 East Texas counties. To contact the BBB in Tyler, call 903-581-5704, and in Longview, call 903-757-3611 or 800-443-0131, or visit the Web site at www.easttexas.bbb.org. The organization can be e-mailed at info@tyler.bbb.org.

Kay Robinson
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