When It Comes To Identity Theft, Technology Can Be A Curse
April 6, 2007
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Is technology a blessing or a curse? Some may reply:
what kind of question is that, after all, if technology was not a
blessing, why would human kind pursue it? Technological advances have
given us the car, the plane, the moon, an ample food supply, solid
shelter, warm clothes, energy, medicine, etc... Technology has also
given us nuclear bombs, germ warfare, global warming, and some would
argue, loss of privacy. |
 | Technology always leads in innovation, and always lags
in protection. Technological advances are typically pursued for the
advancement of human kind. Unfortunately, not all humans share the same
noble values. That same technology being advanced by someone to improve
our lifestyle, is being used by someone else to destroy our lives. When
it comes to Identity Theft, this is most apparent.
Technology
led in innovation to bring us Credit Cards, laptop computers, photocopy
machines, key less (card operated) doors, online banking, etc... That
same technology, lagged in securing our privacy and protecting our
identity.
If a photocopy
machine is too advanced, featuring a memory system to store scanned
documents, you may want to avoid it. Identity Thieves can retrieve your
personal information from a stored document.
If
a hotel provides you with a card to swipe to gain access to your room,
you want to make sure to destroy such card upon checkout. Identity
Thieves may be able to retrieve personal private information by
scanning the magnetic strip on the card.
If your accountant uses a laptop to work on your
financial documents, you may want to consider a new accountant, or
request that your documents remain on the desktop. Identity Thieves
routinely steal (or arrange for the "accidental loss") of laptops
containing sensitive personal information.
If
you receive emails from what seems like one of your merchants,
containing some personal information about you, and prompting you for
additional sensitive information, you need to authenticate the emails.
Most likely, such emails are sent by Identity Thieves, using phishing
and malware to steal your identity and your money. |
As we have become dependent on technology to manage our daily lives and affairs, Identity Thieves have also become dependent on that same technology to destroy our lives for the purpose of enriching themselves. As long as we have not become an Identity Theft victim, we view technology as our savior. Unfortunately, many who have become victims of Identity Theft, view technology as a curse, that has led to their financial demise, and in some cases, cost them their freedom and lives. |
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