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FOREIGN EDUCATED RNs AND IDENTITY THEFT PREVENTION.What is RNs and identity theft about?Identity theft is the crime of stealing someone’s personal data for fraudulent activities thereby landing the victim in big debt and causing great damage to his credit record. It takes many years to rebuild a good credit. It is a serious crime that can financially cripple the victim and his family within a moment. In fact you make purchases in USA with a good credit, not necessarily with money. Without any good credit, it is very difficult, and in most cases, impossible to access any financial facility or make purchases. Many international RNs had no idea about Identity theft before arriving in US. They became victims before they learned about it. It is good you know about RN and identity theft and how to safeguard your personal data before arriving in USA. Personal information that can be used to cause identity theft includes your social security number, credit card information, birth dates, account numbers, etc. Identity theft is a billion dollar industry and the fastest growing crime in USA. And the big problem is that much has not been achieved in curbing this social canker. Various means and technologies are used to steal people’s personal data. Your data storage systems such as mobile phones, PDA, laptop, or wallet can be stolen and this information extracted from them. Perpetrators of this crime also go into your trash for papers and documents bearing your bank statements, bills etc. And when they get access to your address, they go to the post office fill out a change of address form and divert your important mails like bank statements and bills which contain your personal data. Even the hard drive of an old computer that you have donated or discarded can be hacked into to retrieve this information. Others use high online technology like phishing and hacking into your home computers to collect this personal information. Phishing can take the form of sending you unsolicited emails or messages conning you to believe you have won a prize. Another method they use is to offer you an item at a very cheap rate and ask you to pay online using your credit card. These criminals can also reach you by phone pretending to be your bankers or Credit Card Company. They tell you they are doing routine updates on your file and so want you to confirm this and that information. It is also believed that unscrupulous individuals at the work place sell this data to the criminals. This personal information can also be stolen at points of purchase; they can extract your credit/debit card numbers with the help of special storage devices at the time of processing your credit card. Many banks and companies will bug you to sign up for identity theft protection packages. Experts say those products don’t really protect you.
They can not foresee this fraud or stop it but only help you re-build your credit after the harm has been caused. Some of these protection packages come with insurance coverage for expenses you incur as you try to rebuild your credit. The best protection or solution is prevention. You need to safeguard your personal data. First, make sure you wipe out all information on your computer before donating or throwing it away. Experts say just deleting files or formatting your hard drive alone does not clear it of data. Get soft ware products which can completely clear everything off the hard drive. And don’t just jump online to do purchases with your credit card on every website. Don’t follow links provided in unsolicited mails. Only type in the address bar the address you know. Do online purchases from well known and established companies or shops. Before you provide your personal information on any page, make sure it is a secured window. You can tell a secured window by looking out for the padlock symbol on the right hand side of the address bar and or letter ‘’s’’ after ‘’http’’ i.e. ‘’https’’ at the left hand side of the address bar. Do always protect your computer with good and trusted antivirus with firewall, anti spy and keep them up to date. Never use any public computer, computers at the workplace or library to log onto your online accounts. Because whatever personal information that you download or open from that public computer will be saved on that computer. Remember, never use personal information like your birth date, mother’s maiden name or social security number as your passwords. Whenever you are reached on the phone by any one claiming to be from your bankers, police/crime fight support, charity organizations, workplace, or immigration don’t give out any of your personal data. If you have any reason to belief them at all just hang up. Then, make a secured call by using the bank’s or organization’s phone number that you know. Never use the call back number the caller may offer you. One way to prevent or reduce the risk of interception of mails with personal data is by going paperless. Sign up to receive and pay bills, and get account statements online. But make sure your home computer is well protected. Always shred all documents containing the important information. And be careful and know how your shredder works. Some shredded pieces are so large that they can still bear some data. Any time you are asked for any of your data at the hospital, bank, etc ask to use an alternative identifier. But if absolutely necessary, it is safer to put the data on a paper let the officer copy it and take back that paper home to shred it yourself. When you give your social security number etc verbally, there is a high possibility of it being heard by another ear behind you or in the next cubicle. At home keep your personal information in a secured place. This is very important especially if you have an outsider working in your house or you have hired the services of a repair company etc.
And if you have room mates, protect your personal data. Or when vacating an apartment, make sure you don’t forget your pay slips, account statements, bills etc in any cabin or drawer.
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