Identity thefts – A bigger problem

Being on the Internet since the Prodigy BBS days has made me the utmost skeptic when I get a forwarded email.

From the email from a friend trying to show you the errant ways of the current administration (or any administration) to your "mutual friend " from Kenya with a large opportunity in USD $13,509,021.90 bequeathed to you, email forwards and phishing schemes have all made us read our email with a grain of salt in hand.

Sometimes, however, you actually get sent something of some substance. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen In the case of what I'm about to show you, "of substance" isn't a strong enough descriptor. This is something of huge, epic proportions that most people in IT or HR, business owners, and anyone with a social security number should be worried about.

Enough with the teaser watch this video on copier identify theft and come back to me.

Do I have your attention now?

I would say most people don't know this threat even exists yet alone know how to control this security loophole. Here are a few tips for controlling personal identity theft for those of you that deal with this information in their businesses and also a few tips for your own identity security.

BUSINESSES

* Protect your business by putting an insurance policy in place to protect your company if your firm falls victim to this scam. (SIG offers this policy under it's technology insurance products) This is a proactive way of getting in front of a potential disaster that can help protect your company if a breach of data does happen

* Put into place TODAY a policy with your copier leasing or maintenence company that you want to retain your hard drive if any drive faults occur or you trade in your copier for any reason. You'll pay a little extra to have this done and the cost of a new drive (this shouldn't be more than $200.00-$300.00 and I'm being generious here; the drive they showed in the video can be had for less than $40.00) but an ounce of prevention may mean your business never has to experience this risk.

* If your particular copier offers the feature of data wiping or image encryption PAY FOR IT. Just like the video showed, this can be easily added to most copiers with a hard drive.

* Instruct your HR department /business@#$ o make copies of sensitive data on a local printer with a copying function that does not have a hard drive. Most "all-in-one" printer/scanners do not save images locally. Some devices do store the front page of a fax or copy so always use a cover page.

PERSONAL

* Never use a copy machine at your office or another location for duplication of any of your personal information. Make your copies on a local "all-in-one"
Printer/scanner as these typically do not archive images even though they are connected to a computer. Some devices do store the front page of a fax or copy so always use a cover page.

* Check your homeowner's insurance policy to see if you have a provision for identity theft. Most companies include this with their policy for a nominal fee (Travelers offers this for an additional $25.00 a year). Check to see what the applicable limits as well as the deductible and if you can endorse them up any higher if desired.

If coverage is not available on your homeowners plan, locate a standalone policy to protect you and your family.

It's sad that we have to worry about these kind of things, but it is part of living in the digital age. Protect your identity and the identity of your employees and customers by being proactive to avoid any breaches in data security as well as protecting yourself in case a disaster were to occur.

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