Tuesday, January 21, 2025
21.0°F

Idaho low in identity theft

Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 8 years, 1 month AGO
| December 3, 2016 9:00 PM

Every generation probably believes it lives in insecure times, but never has that insecurity encompassed so many platforms. The conveniences of electronic life come with a cost: Identify theft.

December is National Identity Theft Prevention and Awareness Month. Credit-monitoring site WalletHub recently released its 2016 analysis of “States Most Vulnerable to Identity Theft & Fraud.”

Good news: Idaho isn’t one of them. Idaho ranked among the least vulnerable, at 44 of 51.

Using data from the Federal Trade Commission and National Conference of State Legislatures, analysts measured states’ susceptibility based on complaints per capita, average loss, state laws, and use of the Identity Theft Passport Program.

The Passport Program provides victims with documentation to show law enforcement. An awful irony of this crime — which our own son experienced, including arrest — is that victims may be charged for crimes committed by identity thieves.

D.C. residents were the most vulnerable, with an average loss of $16,629 per incident, followed by California and Florida. Montana has the lowest average loss of $806, and South Dakota is the least vulnerable state.

The best prevention is online security. That means strong passwords and not using the same one for everything. Unfamiliar emails or attachments shouldn’t be opened, nor passwords shared via email or text.

If ID theft happens to you, experts suggest:

1. Check your credit report. Even if the breach is addressed, get a free credit report and ensure accuracy of information. Challenge whatever’s suspicious, so it becomes part of the report. Every year, and after a breach, you’re entitled to a free credit report from the credit bureaus (e.g., TransUnion or Experian) and Annualcreditreport.com.

2. Get free monitoring. WalletHub and others offer free monitoring, especially following an incident. That’s free peace of mind and earlier warning.

3. Regularly change PINs and passwords. It’s worth the inconvenience to reduce vulnerability. Passwords should combine letters, numbers, and symbols, and should be changed following a security breach or theft scare.

4. Create those logins. While it may seem counterintuitive at first to create online account identities, monitoring agencies recommend it. If you haven’t set up a password-protected account, someone else could do it in your name.

5. Check your statements. Keep receipts, verify charges, and report anything suspicious. With electronic account monitoring you don’t need to wait until the end of the month. I review mine at least weekly.

6. Encrypt your computer, email, and phones. This is more technical, but free how-to advice is out there. Start easily by password-protecting smart phones, generally found in “settings.” Most email programs have two-factor (or two-step) authentication, an extra security option in email settings. Computers can be encrypted under “settings” as well, such as with “filevault;” but if you do, be careful to note password and security details. Once locked, you may not be able to unlock data again without them.

For more information, see Wallethub.com and IDtheftcenter.org.

•••

Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network. Contact her at Sholeh@cdapress.com.

MORE IMPORTED STORIES

Study: Idahoans less vulnerable to Identity theft
Coeur d'Alene Press | Updated 3 years, 1 month ago
Your business better have a security plan
Coeur d'Alene Press | Updated 6 years, 1 month ago
Tips to tackle Equifax breach
Coeur d'Alene Press | Updated 7 years, 4 months ago