The AP9 Privacy Matters 123, a security and privacy membership program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC, notes that identity theft is complicated. The real problem is when the theft occurs in the workplace, it can have even wider implications, raising questions about employer screening methods and security practices, not to mention the problems it can raise regarding the victim's future career path.

    Offering hackers access to potentially unlimited assets through illegal actions that, when performed by a skilled criminal, are designed to be as difficult to trace as possible, identity theft can be a rewarding crime.  The "money for nothing" allure of identity theft tends to appeal to a broad swath of people, regardless of their race, gender, education level, employment level or other demographic category. An identity thief can lurk anywhere -- even in your office, cautions AP9 Privacy Matters 123. While there's no way to "profile" or otherwise regveal someone who may be an identity thief, AP9 Privacy Matters 123 does have a few suggestions for protecting your identifying data as much as possible in a work environment.

Among them we can find:

-- guard your important materials. Storing your purse or wallet in your office desk is fine -- as long as you're sitting in your office. If you're in and out of your office all day, you're at risk for theft unless you can lock your office drawers with a key that no one else has. If security in your office is poor, try bringing in only those items you need to get through the day (i.e., driver's license, lunch money, personal grooming items, medications) and leaving everything else (Social Security cards, credit cards, other personally identifying materials) stored securely at home.

-- Always keep your password(s) to yourself. An adequate corporate security policy should never require you to share passwords with co-workers, even if they're working on projects with you. A password in the wrong hands can eventually cost you every piece of data on your computer, including data that's unique to you. Memorize your passwords, and, if others need access to information on your computer, key your password in yourself rather than sharing it, even with your boss.

-- Routine safe computer skills. Your computer might store a lot of personally identifying information about you, from your name and address to your credit card and even Social Security numbers. Don't leave your computer on and unguarded for any short period of time; a computer-savvy ID thief can swipe information from your hard drive in less time than it takes to sit through a staff meeting. Also, if you're receiving a new computer, make sure the information on your old hard drive will be permanently deleted once your new computer has been set up.

-- Protect your Social Security number religiously. Some company documents, including job applications, W-9 forms, health insurance policies and more, need a Social Security number for processing purposes, so be sure to store copies of those documents safe. Other corporate files -- sick day logs, vacation requests, expense reports and others -- shouldn't require a Social Security number. Don't be afraid to question a request for a Social Security number on such materials. Work with Human Resources and other departments to find ways to replace Social Security number requests with less vital identifying information.

More information can be found here: http://www.privacymatters123-program.com/PrivacyMatters123_ResourceCenter.html