Protect Your Identity When Using Mobile Devices : My New York ...

If you are like one of the millions of smartphones users in the world, then pay close attention.

Its hard to deny that smartphones provide both great convenience and leisure.? But lurking right around the corner is the unfortunate reality that identity thieves are increasingly finding ways to access your personal data through smartphones.? A recent study found that smartphone users are approximately 33% more likely to become a victim of identity theft than non-users.? Studies have also found that 62% of smartphone users do not use password protection, allowing anyone who finds or steals their phone to have access to the contents which typically includes a vast amount of personal information.

In order to protect yourself from identity theft on your smartphone, consider these four easy tips:

1. Create a complex password: Your first line of defense is a strong password, one that combines letters, numbers, and symbols.?Test the strength of your password here.

2. Seek backup/wiping services: Not having these services is one of the biggest mistakes you can make as a smartphone user.? Most people can get a backup/wiping service through their phone manufacturer.? A backup program sends data on your phone to your home computer. A wiping program erases information from your phone if it is lost or stolen.

3. Install security software:? The idea here is to treat your smartphone like you would your home computer.? Install security software that contains an antivirus, and make sure to keep up with updates so that your security software is always current.??

?4. Take action: If your phone is missing, call your carrier as soon as possible to report that it?s been lost or stolen, and have your data wiped. If you think that you are a victim of identity theft:?

• Place a 90-day fraud alert on credit reports
• File a police report
• File a fraud affidavit with the Federal Trade Commission

Thank you to USA.GOV for recently featuring this epidemic and providing great information and State Farm Insurance for these tips and suggestions!

Source: http://www.mynewyorklegalhelp.com/idtheftandsmartphones/

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