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“What is id theft?” is a question which most consumers know how to answer. It’s a white collar crime where a thief takes your information so that they could acquire goods and services. Identity thieves are known to live expensive lifestyles. They use your information so that they could get your money to finance this lifestyle.

Identity thieves use your name, credit cards, SS number, PINs, passwords, and address to pull this off. They’re able to get what they need by hacking databases, rummaging through trash bins, or stealing files from the HR. Once they’re all set, they can go ahead and drain your accounts.

Identity thieves could quickly acquire personal and financial data at the workplace. By law, employees are required to surrender their Social Security numbers to their employers. If the employer isn’t careful enough, hackers – both from inside and outside -- can access his database to steal his employees’ SS numbers and other sensitive data. With this, everyone should know how their information is kept and if it’s safeguarded by the company they work for.

There are many established ways to prevent identity theft. Credit monitoring is an effective way of identity theft protection. You can protect your identity by taking the initiative in watching out for your own credit. A credit protection company could be hired to help you keep your credit safe through early email alerts.

How to Keep the Workplace Safe from Identity Theft

Every workplace has a rich collection of data that any identity thief would love to access. If you run a company and you have no plans of dealing with workplace identity theft, take a look at these effective ways to prevent this crime from happening:

1. Determine the people from which data are collected.
   These people are comprised of the board members, volunteer staff, and the paid personnel.
   
   
2. Be clear on the what, why, and when the information was gathered.
   This makes the data classification clearer. The one who has access to the information should also be pinpointed.
   
   
3. Understand how the data is protected.
   You should also know how the company protects the data gathered.
   
   
4. Carefully analyze the results of the data gathering.
   If there are any loopholes, make sure that they’re remedied as soon as possible.
   
   
5. Create your company policies on protecting employee information.
   Your company should have a policy that aims to protect unpaid and paid employees from every form of theft. Violators should be penalized accordingly.
   
   
6. Secure the company records.
   Always make it a point to lock every file vault or database in your office. Regular change cycles for passwords are also required. Information that comes in and out of the database should be well-audited. Shred obsolete documents before you discard them. You should also review the personal information storage in the local company network every six months.
   
   
7. Discuss security with all your vendors.
   You should see to it that your vendors understand how important it is to protect the personal information of the employees that they have access to.
   
   
8. Limit the access to stored data.
   If there are employees that are about to leave the company, they should not be permitted to access certain information from the company anymore.
   
   
9. Update your people.
   Your employees should be regularly updated about policies that concern privacy. There should be regulations on how to properly store and destroy documents.
   
   
10. Make sure to investigate any claims.
    Any suggestion that the privacy of your company might already be compromised is a serious claim. It calls for a thorough investigation so that you can be sure of your next move.

The workplace is supposed to be your second home. It should be a relaxing, secure place to work in, knowing that your data is secure. May the tips given enable you to prevent workplace identity theft in your company.

Amy is an active blogger who is fond of sharing interesting finance related articles to encourage people to manage and protect their finances. She also covers topics on the importance to check credit score and having a good credit score .