View John Sileo's Top 5 Items
to Lock Up Against Identity Theft
- Social Security Card. Many of us still
carry Social Security cards in our wallets. And since 30% of identity theft is the
result of a stolen wallet, this increases your risk, especially since your Social
Security number is the primary key to your financial identity. Lock it up until
you absolutely need it (e.g., your first day at a new job).
- Laptop Computer. There is more identity
stored on the average business computer than almost any other source. Most corporate
data breaches occur because of a stolen laptop computer. When you need to leave
your laptop alone (e.g., at the office over the weekend, at a hotel, when your house
is being cleaned, etc.) lock it in a safe. Fire safes aren't just for paper
identity.
- Birth and Death Documents. Birth and death
certificates are a primary source for the most serious kinds of identity theft.
They allow a thief to set up pieces of identity such as a driver's license, a passport
or a loan in your name (even using the identity of someone who is deceased).
Don't make it easy for a disgruntled domestic worker or family member; lock it up.
Include wills, deeds, trusts, titles and power of attorney.
- Password Log. Instead of storing all of
your passwords in your wallet, cell phone or PC (all frequent sources of ID theft),
lock them up. Make a log that lists the institution, your login information (if
it is an online account) and your password or PIN number. This simple habit
could prove to be worth thousands of dollars when your bank account, investments
or medical benefits aren't drained after you lose your wallet, phone or laptop.
- Backup Files. Make regular backups of your
vital computer files and store them in your fire safe using a CD, DVD, tape backup,
thumb drive, etc. It is tragic when a fire or flood destroys digital photos, tax
files, financial statements, etc.
Because of the personal nature of the information stored on backups, these files
should be locked up and protected against fire and water damage.
To determine which SentrySafe is right for you, visit our
Safe
Configurator.
John Sileo, a two time victim of identity theft, speaks to organizations around
the world about preventing identity theft and corporate data loss. To learn more
about preventing identity theft, or for more information on having John speak at
your next event, please visit his
Identity theft speaker
website.
Click here to purchase a copy of his award-winning book,
Stolen
Lives: Identity Theft Prevention Made Simple.