How To Protect Your Identity And Your Online Home Business
http://www.ChooseHomeWork.com
http://www.WorkAtHomeForDummies.com
Starting a home-based internet business is the dream of many would-be entrpreneurs across the globe. Every single day countless numbers of these people are turning their dream into a reality. The more you put yourself out there on the internet in many aspect, the issue of identity theft is a growing concern.
Operating an online business requires many hours on your computer doing the things necessary to build your business. As a result you can sometimes open yourself up to privacy issues. Here are 11 of the best ways you can lower your risk of becoming a victim of identity theft. At the end of this article, step number 11 is fast becoming THE preferred way for people to secure the themselves.
An identity thief takes your personal information and uses it without your knowledge. The thief may run up debts or even commit crimes in your name. Take these steps to help insure yourself against this crime of our times.
Number One: Protect your Social Security Number
If you do, stop carrying your Social Security Card in your wallet. If a company you do business with wants to use your SS# as your account number or id number, ask them to use another number. Protecting your Social Security number is the key to controlling identity theft.
Number 2: Don’t let your identity get trashed
Own a paper/document shredder as part of your business. Shred or tear up papers with your personal information on them before you throw them away. Shred credit card offers and other mail you receive that might have your personal private information on them.
Number 3: Use caution when clicking around the Internet
Before entering credit card or other personal information on any web site(especially if you are new to it), read their privacy policy. See what your options are to opt out of sharing your information. IF there is no privacy policy posted, BEWARE!. Do business somewhere else. When you do enter personal information, enter it on secure web pages with “https” in the address bar and a padlock symbol at the bottom of your browser. These signs indicate protection from hackers.
Number 4: Beware of “Phishing”!
Scam artists disguise themselves as legitimate businesses that you do business with everyday like your bank, stores, eBay, Paypal, government agencies and such. Tactics include phone calls, emails, regular mail, and others asking you to verify personal information like account numbers and passwords. Don’t respond unless you initiated the contact with that company by calling them. If they called you, ask them if you can call them back. Additionally, legitimate companies do not ask for this sort of information in these ways.
Number 5: Keep control of your personal financial information
Limit wheenver you can, the sharing of your information between companies and/or their affiliates.
Number 6: Opt-out of pre-approved credit card offers
Many pre-approved credit card offers are simply ploys to make your information an easy target to gather.
Number 7: Check your bills and statements
Open your bills and statements. Reconcile right away and look carefully for any unauthorized charges or withdrawals. If you miss receiving these in the mail one month, call to find out why in case anyone stole them from your mailbox or have changed your contact information.
Number 8: Protect your computer
Computer viruses and spyware can compromise your privacy. Use the appropriate security software. Make your passwords difficult for others to guess. DO NOT click on links in spam email.
Number 9: Make a regular check of your credit report
This is one of the best ways to protect yourself. Monitor your credit history. You can get a FREE credit report every year from each of the three national credit bureaus.
Number 10: Ask Questions
Whenever information is requested from you that seems inappropriate for the transaction you are making, ask why. Ask how the information is going to be used and if it will be shared. Move on if you feel the answers are unsatisfactory.
Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in America. It’s makes sense to take steps to protect yourself when you are an online business owner spending so much time on the internet.
Number 11: Use Lifelock
A great way to protect your good name and your identity from being stolen is with a company called Lifelock. As part of their service to protect your identity from being stolen, they offer a One Million Dollar Service Guarantee. Quite simply, using Lifelock is absolutely the best way to protect yourself from identity theft BEFORE it happens.
Get all the details at http://www.lifelock.com .
If you decide to take this important step toward protecting your identity and good name, here’s how you can save a little money on Lifelock’s already low service pricing. At the appropriate point when prompted for a “PROMO CODE”, enter the promo code LOCKSAFE. By entering “locksafe”, you’ll receive a 10% service discount from Lifelock that I have negotiated for all my readers.
Identity theft can happen to anyone, anytime and anywhere. It can happen online or offline. Simple logical steps like those listed above can protect your good name. It’s simply important to properly protect your reputation and the reputation of your business online and off.
To Your Success,
Todd
Todd Thomas is the Founder of ChooseHomeWork.com http://www.ChooseHomeWork.com
and WorkAtHomeForDummies.com http://www.WorkAtHomeForDummies.com.
Todd writes business related articles ranging from internet business to network marketing and everything in between. Todd is also a baseball coach and hitting instructor. He owns http://www.HitItHere.net.
Contact at support@workathomefordummies.com for info on articles for your website!
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