PII and the IDENTITY THEFT

Identity theft is the act of unlawfully obtaining someone’s personal information without the permission.

The Personally Identifiable Information (PII) includes name, phone number, address, bank account details, Aadhaar and other document numbers, card details and every other information that helps to identify a person is considered as PII.

Identity theft is simply stealing these information and using them for illegal activities.

Also Read: Social Media Exposing our Personal Data.

As per the report on The Economic Times, 4 in 10 Indians have experienced identity theft, and after knowing this we must not overlook the fact that how much dangerous could it be?

Identity theft can lead to a number of effects as the stolen information by the criminal can help him/her to personify him/herself as you and can:

Gain access to your bank account

Apply for loans on your cards or open insurance account

File a tax refund in your name and get your refund

Obtain a driver’s license, passport or immigration papers

Create new utility account

Assume your identity on social media

Give your name to the law enforcement agency during arrest, etc…

The list can go a long way, but the main motive is to understand how much our single information matters and what could possibly go wrong if someone else get it.

 

Also Read: Does your Device has a FAKE APP!

What are our daily acts that could leak our PII?

You must be aware of the acts that could leak your PII and help cybercriminal to access them.  Below are mentioned some facts that could be a point of leak of your PII.

1. All the information, including name, date of birth, photographs, etc. that we share on the social media is the biggest reveal of our identity.
2. The location we tag in our posts help cybercriminal know our locations and visited places.
3. Our favourites that we share can guide criminals to solve some of our security questions (which play an important role in multi-factor authentication).
4. Providing the photocopies of identity proofs (PAN card, Aadhaar Card, Driving License, Address Proof, etc.) to any unknown person/organization.
5. Not writing the purpose of providing the identity proof in any copy of it. While providing any identity proof to any person/organization, always write on it the purpose you are providing it for.
6. Leaving the ATM generated receipts on the dustbins, or public places.
7. Using personal accounts on someone’s else PC, and logging out from it.
8. Not checking the ATM and POS machine before swiping the card that could be employed with skimmer.
9. Entering the pin without hiding it from others.
10. Letting the sales person to take your card away to swipe for the transaction.

We are not restricted till here, there are various others acts or say our negligence that could lead to identity theft.

Being aware of the associated threats, always ensure the safety of your PII and remain aware about the surrounding. Try not to commit these mistakes and make the cyber world a better place for yourself and others.

Also Read: Browser Security

What to do in case you become victim of Identity Theft?

!!!!!DON’T IGNORE THE ACTIVITY!!!!!

 

• Call the companies where you know fraud occurred.
• Check and freeze all the accounts that are compromised.
• Change all your online account passwords and usernames.

Also Read: Is Your Password Really Secure??

• Replace government-issued IDs in case they are lost or stolen.
• Report the account that is using your name and details to the respective organization.
• Check the computer system for malwares.
• Secure your other identity proofs.
• Place a fraud alert in the nearby law enforcement agency.

Cybersecurity is the responsibility of each one of us and we all must fulfill our responsibilities well.

 

REMAIN VIGILANT, REMAIN SECURE

Source: ISEA