Many offices feature copiers that can make a copy into a PDF document that can be received via e-mail. This great feature can, however, become a problem if a document is accidentally sent to the wrong person – or if it’s done on purpose. Just by pushing a few buttons, an identity thief can steal your most personal information and wreak havoc on your life.
Another hazard with office copiers is that digital copiers store what has been copied onto a hard drive. If the drive is not wiped clean, the information can be retrieved when the copier is resold or junked.
There is a world of personal and company information stored on any given office copier. But by working with your company’s IT team, copiers can be made safe and your information can be protected. Business owners can protect stored data by:
• Purchasing software that scrubs the disk or removes all of the data from hard drives.
• Obtaining software online to prevent data from being stored at all or to encrypt data. Some copier companies offer this type of protection in purchase packages with their copiers.
• Placing a password on the copier that cannot be easily guessed. The password would be needed to gain access to the stored data.
But the No. 1 way people become victims of identity theft is through their own lapses in judgment. Don’t be careless with your personal information. There are 10 simple steps you can take to secure your identity:
1. Do not give out personal information over the telephone, through the mail or over the Internet unless you initiated the contact or are sure of the person you’re dealing with.
2. Shred all documents, even pre-approved credit card offers, insurance forms, bank checks and statements.
3. Use firewalls and anti-virus software on your computer, and keep the software up to date.
4. Minimize the identification information and number of credit cards you carry.
5. Do not put your Social Security number on your checks or credit receipts.
6. Be careful when using ATM machines and watch for people standing close to you as you input your PIN. If you suspect there is a skimming device attached to the machine, do not use it and notify the bank immediately.
7. Never submit your credit card number to a Web site unless the site is encrypted or secure.
8. Pay attention to your billing cycles. Follow up with creditors if you don’t receive your bills on time.
9. Cancel all credit cards you have not used in the last six months. Open credit is a prime target for identity thieves.
10. Obtain and carefully review your credit report at least twice a year. Look for unauthorized activity and take action immediately to correct it.
