| Social networking. Most of us do it. For some of us | | | | identify when you're gone and then pounce to |
| it's an addiction. But it can be dangerous. Social | | | | break-in and rob your home. Sound crazy? It happens |
| networking identity theft is on the rise as more and | | | | all the time. Think before you tweet "Going on |
| more identity thieves adapt to this increasingly easy | | | | vacation for a week." |
| way to steal your identity. Once they have your | | | | Learn the Rules: All social networking sites are |
| identity, the sky's the limit. They can drain your bank | | | | different and they all have their own rules. It |
| account, run up your credit, and virtually destroy you | | | | scammers take advantage of this vulnerability and |
| financially. And it all starts with some "innocent" | | | | prey on you before you even know what happened. |
| communication online. | | | | They know the faster they get to you, the faster |
| The social networking statistics are in, and they | | | | they can rob you. Before you register with a site, |
| aren't pretty. According to PC World, one third of | | | | read the privacy policy and terms of use to avoid |
| members of social networking sites like Facebook, | | | | becoming another victim of it. |
| LinkedIn, Twitter, and MySpace have at least three | | | | Restrict Access: You're in control. Always remember |
| pieces of personal information posted on their profile | | | | that. You don't have to share everything to the |
| that can make stealing their identity easy for identity | | | | world. Most social networking sites allow you to |
| thieves. These include full names, birth dates, | | | | restrict access to your page so only "real friends" can |
| addresses, phone numbers, names of parents, and | | | | keep up with you. Steer clear of social networking |
| names of children. When pieced together, this | | | | identity theft by only allowing people you actually |
| information makes it as easy as creating a fake | | | | know (not even friends of friends who could be |
| profile on one of these sites. | | | | posing as identity thieves) to be friends and follow |
| Although nearly 80% of people in the PC World poll | | | | you. |
| said they were concerned about their privacy on | | | | Google Alerts: This is free and easy. Just setup a |
| social networking sites, about 60% said they had no | | | | free Google Alerts notification for your full name. |
| idea what their privacy settings were and who could | | | | You'll get an email every time your name shows up in |
| see their personal information on those sites. | | | | a search online. This helps prevent it because you can |
| Scary statistics? Yes. A playground for it? You bet. | | | | see where, how, and why your name is being |
| Social Networking Identity Theft: Prevention Tips | | | | searched for online. If it looks suspicious, such as |
| Follow these tips to avoid becoming a victim of social | | | | someone pretending to be you, you can take |
| networking identity theft: | | | | immediate action. |
| Personal Information: How much do you want the | | | | Post for Posterity: Everything you post online "lives" |
| world to know about you? Remember: Your friends | | | | forever. Even if you think you've deleted information |
| aren't just finding you on Facebook. Social networking | | | | from a site it exists on people's computers that they |
| identity theft scammers may be seeking you out as | | | | can then use for social networking identity |
| well. Keep your personal information safe by not | | | | theft-even years after you posted it! |
| posting your full name, birthday, address, phone | | | | Social Networking Identity Theft: Protect Yourself! |
| number, and other private information that could be | | | | The moral of the story? Have fun on social |
| used to find you. Don't even think about posting | | | | networks, but be cautious. You never know who |
| seemingly harmless information like when you'll be out | | | | may want to be your "friend. |
| of town or when you're at the gym. A growing is to | | | | |