The Growing Problem of Merchant Database Theft
Think you do everything possible to keep your identity safe from hackers and identity thieves? You shred documents, keep your information private, and use a secure online password, but what are merchants and retailers doing to keep it safe too? Businesses have just as much important information about you and they’re starting to become a clear target for identity thieves. Criminals are now attacking computer databases that belong to merchants and department stores, then using customer payment information to steal identities. Even more frightening, some retailers are doing little to help customers - simply telling them to carefully review their statements for anything out of place. Rather than waiting to find out if you’ve become another victim to identity theft, there are ways you can take action before its too late.
If You Suspect Identity Theft…
- The first thing you should do if you suspect identity theft is to get a copy of your credit report, either online or through the mail. It will contain information pertaining to all of the lines of credit in your name and anything out of place should stick out like a sore thumb.
- Check your mail everyday and watch out for anything that may be missing. One common trick of identity thieves is to have your billing statements forwarded to another address, that way you don’t realize someone else is using your card for awhile.
- Change all of your online passwords. This is especially important if you use online banking or make credit card payments online. Remember to use different passwords for each account or website.
- Don’t ignore those phone calls from creditors. Most of us have “called ID” these days and tend to not answer phone calls from creditors, assuming they’re just trying to sell us another card or account, but they could be calling to ask you about suspicious charges or activity.
- Contact the credit bureaus to place fraud alerts or credit freezes on your credit reports. These will prevent anyone from opening any new accounts under your name.
