Smartphones May Not Be Quite Smart When it Comes to Fighting Identity Theft

(Newswire.net — December 8, 2016) Tallahassee, FL — Today, card skimming devices have become quite inexpensive and widely available. In addition to these devices, there are other threats that could help fraudsters commit their crimes.

Smartphones may not be quite smart when it comes to fighting identity theft. There are several ways that smartphones could make consumers vulnerable to thieves. This can be quite alarming considering that these devices have become an important part in the lives of many people.

According to the Pew Research Center, 64 percent of adult individuals in the United States own a smartphone. A smartphone has the ability to function like a computer, and thus, it makes life easier for many people.

While they have a variety of uses, they can also post some security risks. When owners use their phone in purchasing something, the device usually logs sensitive information about them and their credit cards. When they use public Wi-Fi in making transactions, information can easily be stolen by hackers.

In using a Wi-Fi network, there is usually a warning that says the data or the user can be viewable by a third-party. Unfortunately, this is true. Hackers can connect to public Wi-Fi, observe, and take passwords and account information that users enter while they are connected.

It is imperative to, as much as possible, avoid using public Wi-Fi or entering private information. It can also be helpful to avoid using apps that require passwords.

Smartphones can also be stolen or lost anytime and anywhere. This is why it is important for users to have a detailed mobile security plan once their smartphones are lost or stolen.

Consumers should also be mindful about the scams carried along with certain texts, emails, or even apps. Hackers can easily call phones to get some information about the owners. They are equipped with the technology that makes names and numbers on the phone appear when they call.

Thieves often pretend to be representatives from the bank. It is important to avoid providing personal information to unverified callers. There are many other ways to increase one’s protection against thieves.

There are thieves who use card skimming devices that work by getting signals from credit and debit cards, and steal information from them. The good news is that there are RFID blocking sleeves available nowadays.

These sleeves can protect debit and credit cards from fraudsters. They can cover cards and be placed inside a wallet. Individuals who want to take advantage of these RFID blocking sleeves may go to amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/rfid-sleeves-for-credit-cards/dp/B0150T0AI2).