Identity Theft and the Ways to Prevent the Cyber Crime

Identity theft is when someone else wrongfully uses your information and acts like you and intends to commit fraud in your name. Criminals usually collect other peoples name, driver’s license, or Social Security Number. They obtain Social Security Number because then they can easily obtain false lines of credit and rack up significant debt in your name. Someone also can do criminal acts while using your identity. Criminals can get some of this information by hacking into your emails, Facebook and other social media websites.

Most online teens say that the main reason thire identity could have been stolen is because of what content they post on thire social media accounts. Another reason why identity theft happens to teens is because per to a study by (Family Online Safety Institute) that, 34% of teens say they have shared their username and password with someone other than their parent or guardian. When teens tell other people there passwords they are more likely to have identity theft happen to them. Most often you will know if you’re a victim or not if something wrong starts to happen , such as decrees in bank balance, more debt, wrong things posted on your social media , online crimes you wernt involved in and much more. People can hack into your online banking accounts and use your information to gain themselves stuff they want.

Ways to prevent identity theft online is to never share your password with others. Keep your password as secret as possible. When making, a password make it something hard, so that no one can guess it or hack it. Secondly, don’t use your real name in your password. When making payments online make sure your online browser is protected by online safety programs or anti virus ,etc. Never save any card numbers or pins. Make sure to turn on all security features such as WPA encryption. Change the default password and SSID on your wireless router. It is preferred that you log off completely and close your browser when you are finished with a secure session. Don’t download files or click hyperlinks provided by strangers.