One of the easiest ways to lose money these days is through identity theft. If you suffer from this crime, you know how devastating it can be on your financial planning. An identity thief can wreak havoc on your life.
Imagine getting pulled over and the officer informs you that you have a warrant out for your arrest, but you’ve never done anything illegal in your whole entire life. That could really put a kink in your life. It would take quite some time to clear the whole situation up. The only weapon you really have to fight against this crime is your own capacity for knowledge.
Here are a few ways that technology can assist you in protecting yourself and your family from the consequences of identity theft.
Two-step verification processes
Most credit card companies offer an option to insist on a two-step verification process before any charges can be approved. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to sign up for this security feature. This way, the cashier or employee running your credit card number will be prompted to acquire a second verification from you in the form of a password or signature. This method also benefits the company from which you are purchasing your items by reducing the opportunity for unnecessary chargeback issues to arise.
Utilize biometric technology
It sounds like something from the future, but biometric technology is no longer a concept. The fancy movie technology has now come to life. You use it every time you unlock your smartphone using your fingerprint. These devices are also being used in hospitals to avoid medical identity fraud. This technology will recognize some physical trait of yours (face, voice, fingerprint, iris) and use it as a means for financial authorization. A thief can’t fake that.
Use caution with secured & unsecured networks
There’s a large plethora of technology available to protect your information over the internet, but it won’t work for you if you don’t implement it. You should never do any personal financial business over an unsecured network. Save the important stuff for when you’re at home on your own personal network. Also, make sure your home network is secured with an intricate password and an encryption device. Delete your cookies regularly, and don’t forget to utilize some sort of spyware software to keep your computers clean and tidy.
Encryption technology is a keeper
If you’re running any kind of business, encryption technology is a must! You simply cannot do any sort of business without information security firmly in place. It’s too dangerous for your company, as well as your customers. Without encryption technology, your business and personal information are a wide opened book for thieves.