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An 'Ethical Hacker' On Protecting Your Identity

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the what-with-the-who-now dept.

qwqwss writes "Canada.com is running an article by Terry Cutler, a 'certified Ethical Hacker', who wants to get the word out to people on protecting their identities from a growing number of risks. The piece covers shopping online, keeping your personal information contained, and avenues of inquiry if your identity is stolen."

7 of 159 comments (clear)

  1. Hiding your credit report by Riding+Spinners · · Score: 5, Informative

    1-888-567-8688

    Call this one number to opt out of all three bureaus. You can protect yourself from identity theft by taking your name off of the credit bureaus mailing lists. The credit bureaus are one of the biggest offender when it comes to selling your name and information to the credit card companies who in turn send you all those pre-approved applications. One call to the Opt Out Request Line (for Equifax, TransUnion, Experian and Consumer Credit Associates) is all it takes to permanently remove your name from all marketing lists that the credit agencies supply to direct marketers. You can also opt for a two-year period, renewing your request at any time in the future.

    Identity theft certainly happens on the Internet, but it's the old-fashioned cons that usually get your SSN and such. Put your paranoia in the right place. Please.

  2. I don't even have to read the article... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    The trick to not worrying about identity theft is to have horrible credit and just about $0 in the bank. I've never got to worry about somebody using my identity. Hell, my identity doesn't even do me any good.

    1. Re:I don't even have to read the article... by kfg · · Score: 5, Funny

      Somebody stole my identity once, but a week later I found it lying on my doorstep with a note of sympathy pinned to its blanket.

      KFG

  3. This article is too Canada-centric by Neil+Blender · · Score: 5, Informative

    Here in the backwater US, you can get your credit report for free three times a year at http://annualcreditreport.com/ - Check it every four months.

  4. Online identity theft = FUD? by porkmusket · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Does anyone else think that online identity theft is exaggerated? I mean, I have seen stats for identity theft in general, but not specifically for online identity theft. It strikes me as an insurance company/bank/credit card company ploy to make money. They take the internet, something a lot people don't understand, paint it as a major source of fraud, and ask you to pay $10/mo for their 'identity protection' services.

    I have a feeling that the mjaority involvement of the internet in these crimes is as a vehicle for the transmission or cracking or databases made available by poor security practices.

  5. Re:Buy a shredder by Incadenza · · Score: 5, Informative

    Just don't ever allow your kids to shred anything, even once. If you do, you may find yourself re-filling your taxes, one piece of sellotape at a time.

    Or have a bunch of fanatic Iranian students do it for you. I have a copy of Documents From the US Espionage Den, volume 5 [6 MB PDF] that is a quite good illustration of why US embassies have been incinerating and not shredding their paper waste since 1979.

  6. Re:well.. by BaltikaTroika · · Score: 5, Funny

    The phone number works. Some Nigerian guy answered the phone. After taking my personal information, he offered me this great deal where I just have to let him use my bank account and he'll give me 40% of some dead guy's 20 million dollar estate.