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Protecting Yourself Against Identity Theft |
TJ Maxx, Barnes and Noble, DSW even Boston Market...If you shopped in any of those stores last year, you've probably had a close eye on your credit reports. Each of those major retailers were part of what is now being called the biggest case of identity theft in American History.
"You know, this is from a standpoint of I guess what you would call a white collar crime, probably one of the biggest challenges we face in the 21st century, huge amounts of money move over the internet," says Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff.
Tens of millions of dollars in this case, after hackers used what is known as a "sniffer" program to access each stores' wireless network. 11 people have now been charged in connection with hacking, an incident the New York State Consumer Protection Board says should serve as a warning to consumers.
"Consumers take responsibility. You can feel empowered that you're doing as much as you can to protect yourself," says Executive Director Mindy Bockstein.
Some tips to protect yourself: Bockstein says keep a close eye on your credit report. Also, whenever possible, protect accounts with a password. And of course, minimize the use of your social security number.
For more tips, visit http://www.nysconsumer.gov. |
