All you ever wanted to know about paper shredders, and then some. Avoid Identity Theft start shredding everything today!Friday, January 27, 2006
Be safe while shredding
Always use caution when operating a paper shredder.
Consumer model paper shredders for home use have grown in popularity in recent years, particularly among people who want to destroy documents containing key personal information.
But a shredder is not a toy. Young children may attempt to turn on a shredder when adults are not present. A finger can get pulled into the shredding mechanism if a child doesn’t let go of the paper. Between January 2000 and September 2005, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission received 50 reports of incidents involving finger amputations, lacerations, and other finger injuries from paper shredders, with small children suffering the majority of the injuries.
Consumers should practice the following safety measures when using a paper shredder:
• Never allow children to operate paper shredders, even under adult supervision. Place the paper shredder out of reach of children.
• Unplug the paper shredder power cord when not in use.
• Do not place hands or fingers in the shredder opening.
• Don’t wear loose clothing, which can catch in the shredder opening. Also, keep hair and dangling items, such as a necktie, away from the shredder.
Consumer model paper shredders for home use have grown in popularity in recent years, particularly among people who want to destroy documents containing key personal information.
But a shredder is not a toy. Young children may attempt to turn on a shredder when adults are not present. A finger can get pulled into the shredding mechanism if a child doesn’t let go of the paper. Between January 2000 and September 2005, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission received 50 reports of incidents involving finger amputations, lacerations, and other finger injuries from paper shredders, with small children suffering the majority of the injuries.
Consumers should practice the following safety measures when using a paper shredder:
• Never allow children to operate paper shredders, even under adult supervision. Place the paper shredder out of reach of children.
• Unplug the paper shredder power cord when not in use.
• Do not place hands or fingers in the shredder opening.
• Don’t wear loose clothing, which can catch in the shredder opening. Also, keep hair and dangling items, such as a necktie, away from the shredder.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Understanding the Threat of Identity Theft
Thieves Know What They're Doing and So Should You
Knowing how identity theft happens provides an important perspective that can help you limit your risk. Understanding the challenge of getting your identity back will also raise the urgency of taking active steps to protect yourself.
Seven Ways Thieves Get Your Personal Information
It’s difficult enough to deal with feeling vulnerable and violated. Victims express great pain and emotional stress from having gone through the ordeal. Once the initial shock subsides, the difficult job of reclaiming an identity and repairing the damage begins.
Victims typically spend thousands of dollars undoing the damage to their good name and credit record. The average victim spends more than 175 hours of their personal time to clear their name, over as many as four years! Plus, victims have lost job opportunities, been refused loans, education, housing or cars and have even been arrested for crimes they didn't commit.
Clearly, this is an issue to be taken seriously. But there is a lot that you can do to protect yourself. If you continue to learn more about the issues and take steps to minimize your risk, you'll have peace of mind from working to secure your identity.
Knowing how identity theft happens provides an important perspective that can help you limit your risk. Understanding the challenge of getting your identity back will also raise the urgency of taking active steps to protect yourself.
Seven Ways Thieves Get Your Personal Information
- Rummaging through trash, also known as "dumpster diving."
- Obtaining credit by posing as a landlord, employer, or someone else who may have a legal right to the information.
- Stealing wallets and purses or personal information from your home.
- Stealing mail, including bank and credit card statements, pre-approved credit offers, new checks, or tax information.
- Completing a "change of address form" to divert your mail to another location.
- Hacking unprotected computers and all of the personal information stored on them.
- Stealing credit and debit card numbers as your transaction is being processed. A special information storage device is used; this is known as "skimming."
- Open new credit card accounts to fund shopping sprees.
- Establish cell phone or utility accounts.
- Take out loans.
- Open a new bank account and write bad checks on that account.
- Give your name to the police during an arrest. If they are released and don't show up for their court date, an arrest warrant could be issued in your name.
It’s difficult enough to deal with feeling vulnerable and violated. Victims express great pain and emotional stress from having gone through the ordeal. Once the initial shock subsides, the difficult job of reclaiming an identity and repairing the damage begins.
Victims typically spend thousands of dollars undoing the damage to their good name and credit record. The average victim spends more than 175 hours of their personal time to clear their name, over as many as four years! Plus, victims have lost job opportunities, been refused loans, education, housing or cars and have even been arrested for crimes they didn't commit.
Clearly, this is an issue to be taken seriously. But there is a lot that you can do to protect yourself. If you continue to learn more about the issues and take steps to minimize your risk, you'll have peace of mind from working to secure your identity.
Identity Theft—An Overview
Identity and Document Security
What is Identity Theft?
Virtually every week there is one or more news stories that highlight problems with personal information. Whether it's a retailer that loses credit card information or computer files inside a credit bureau that are compromised, it's unsettling to know that your information is vulnerable. So what can you do? The starting point is gaining an awareness of the risks and an understanding for the issues. So, what is identity theft?
Identity theft happens when someone steals your personal information (like your Social Security number) and poses as you in order to make financial transactions or carry out illegal activities in your name. The thief can live a life in your name, ruining your credit and damaging your reputation. They could commit fraud or other crimes in your name and potentially affect every aspect of your life from getting a new job to a new mortgage.
Having your identity stolen can be a nightmare. Ask anyone who has fallen victim to it. And with millions of victims, the odds are you know someone who knows someone who's been affected.
Identity theft takes many forms. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports that in 2004 the most common type of identity theft was credit card fraud (28% of total complaints) followed by phone or utilities fraud (19%), bank fraud (18%), and employment fraud (13%). By themselves, these incidents are often considered financial fraud, but each of these can be the first step to full-blown identity theft (see inset).
Regardless of what it's called, the problem sounds intimidating. But we believe that knowing about identity theft is the first step in preventing it from happening. In fact, there are many things you can do to protect yourself.
Knowledge is Good-Please Help Yourself
Keeping your identity safe comes down to having an awareness of the problem, exercising caution when giving out your personal information and taking steps to protect yourself. The FTC says that protecting sensitive information is your best defense against identity theft. Fellowes has gathered much of the information, tips and resources you'll need to know and use:
Since experts agree shredding is the best way to dispose of sensitive data, Fellowes also brings you information on these types of shredders that offer the best security.
Identity Theft vs. Financial Fraud
Identity Theft: Someone literally poses as you, using your personal information such as your Social Security number, to take actions and make financial transactions. For example, the thief can take out a mortgage or get a drivers license in your name. You are liable for whatever actions he takes. That’s why it can take so much effort to undo the damage and clear your name.
Financial Fraud: Commonly known as credit or debit card theft. Charges are made on your card to any retailer or business. The thief has not actually assumed your identity; they simply use your card to make transactions.
Shop for a Paper Shredder
What is Identity Theft?
Virtually every week there is one or more news stories that highlight problems with personal information. Whether it's a retailer that loses credit card information or computer files inside a credit bureau that are compromised, it's unsettling to know that your information is vulnerable. So what can you do? The starting point is gaining an awareness of the risks and an understanding for the issues. So, what is identity theft?
Identity theft happens when someone steals your personal information (like your Social Security number) and poses as you in order to make financial transactions or carry out illegal activities in your name. The thief can live a life in your name, ruining your credit and damaging your reputation. They could commit fraud or other crimes in your name and potentially affect every aspect of your life from getting a new job to a new mortgage.
Having your identity stolen can be a nightmare. Ask anyone who has fallen victim to it. And with millions of victims, the odds are you know someone who knows someone who's been affected.
Identity theft takes many forms. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports that in 2004 the most common type of identity theft was credit card fraud (28% of total complaints) followed by phone or utilities fraud (19%), bank fraud (18%), and employment fraud (13%). By themselves, these incidents are often considered financial fraud, but each of these can be the first step to full-blown identity theft (see inset).
Regardless of what it's called, the problem sounds intimidating. But we believe that knowing about identity theft is the first step in preventing it from happening. In fact, there are many things you can do to protect yourself.
Knowledge is Good-Please Help Yourself
Keeping your identity safe comes down to having an awareness of the problem, exercising caution when giving out your personal information and taking steps to protect yourself. The FTC says that protecting sensitive information is your best defense against identity theft. Fellowes has gathered much of the information, tips and resources you'll need to know and use:
Since experts agree shredding is the best way to dispose of sensitive data, Fellowes also brings you information on these types of shredders that offer the best security.
Identity Theft vs. Financial Fraud
Identity Theft: Someone literally poses as you, using your personal information such as your Social Security number, to take actions and make financial transactions. For example, the thief can take out a mortgage or get a drivers license in your name. You are liable for whatever actions he takes. That’s why it can take so much effort to undo the damage and clear your name.
Financial Fraud: Commonly known as credit or debit card theft. Charges are made on your card to any retailer or business. The thief has not actually assumed your identity; they simply use your card to make transactions.
Shop for a Paper Shredder
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