Robert M. Ryerson is a Certified Financial Fiduciary (CFP) at New Century Planning in Freehold, New Jersey, and a financial strategist with the Society for Financial Awareness, a national profit. A certified identity theft risk management specialist, Robert M. Ryerson is very knowledgeable about the threats posed by identity theft.
There are a number of basic steps an individual can take in order to minimize their chances of falling victim to an identity theft scam. First and foremost, any time another party requests sensitive, personal information, such as a Social Security number or birth date, the individual should carefully consider the request and ask why the information is needed and how it will be used. In certain situations, such as those involving a federal or municipal agency, such requests may be standard, but in other cases, this information can be used for nefarious purposes.
An individual’s Social Security number (SSN) is particularly important in regard to identity theft. A person should refrain from carrying their Social Security card unless it is absolutely necessary and should only present the card or number in completely secure situations.
In the digital age, many instances of identity theft can be traced back to unsafe online activities. Individuals are encouraged to use as many security features as are available on their mobile phone. Similarly, personal computers should be set up with the appropriate security and firewall settings, especially when using a computer on a public wi-fi network. Virtual private networks can also help enhance online security.
To learn more about preventing identity theft, please visit www.usa.gov/identity-theft.
