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Identity theft at record levels!

Martin-O2
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Hey guys, 

 

I was reading this article on the massive increase in identity theft over the past few years. According to the director of Cifas, which is a non-profit fraud prevention service based in the UK, "identities being stolen at a rate of almost 500 a day" with 89,000 reported in the first 6 months of 2017! 

 

The vast majority of identity theft happens online and the article offered several tips to keeping yourself safe.. 

 

  • Limit the amount of personal information you share on social media
  • Keep your antivirus software up to date
  • Using strong passwords
  • Don't use familiar numbers, such as date of births for PIN numbers

 

Has anyone been a victim of identity theft and if so how did you get your Identity back? 

 

Does anyone have any tips or tricks for keeping your identity save when using PC, tablet or mobile outside of the pretty obvious ones listed above? 

 

Let me know below wink

 

Identity-Theft.jpg

 

 

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gmarkj
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Only use well known or reputable websites would be one.

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MercedesS
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Thanks for sharing @Martin-O2

To be honest, I had this problem when I was here, around 10 years ago, and someone decided to use my "personal information" to buy "mobile devices with my name" - till I didn't have more money... all gone (didn't have much but, still...) in one evening!  No credit card used, they just signed contracts with my personal information and my bank account! done skull_crossbones

The worst: Nothing I can or could do about it! The police told me it was really normal in the UK and that "someone did it stealing my personal information from my rubbish or maybe even my roommates!!!! CrazyCrazy 

 

What I do now? I just don't make so much money so, no much to lose... but ideas welcome! Help

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Martin-O2
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That's a good call @gmarkj! Do you use an antivirus apps on your mobile? 

 

@MercedesS That's terrible! I hope you got it all sorted out. 

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gmarkj
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I have one but not used very often @Martin-O2...

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MI5
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Pointless on a mobile phone.
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Martin-O2
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@gmarkj I'd have to check if there was one pre-installed but I've never downloaded one. 

 

@MI5 Are viruses not common on mobiles? 

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MI5
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I've never heard of anyone ever getting a real virus on any mobile device.
I have no affiliation whatsoever with O2 or any subsidiary companies. Comments posted are entirely of my own opinion. This is not Customer Service so we are unable to help with account specific issues.

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Martin-O2
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Good to know! I'm surprised as you can store a lot of personal info on a mobile so would think they would be a prime target. 

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MI5
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Mobile systems are inherently difficult to hack into, despite all the scare stories you read about.
I have no affiliation whatsoever with O2 or any subsidiary companies. Comments posted are entirely of my own opinion. This is not Customer Service so we are unable to help with account specific issues.

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