Identity theft isn’t a new problem, but new solutions keep being attempted almost as quickly as criminals are finding new ways to access confidential data.

Sometimes, it could be sophisticated hacks like the breaches at Target and The Home Depot, which investigators believe took months of effort by teams of hackers around the world to crack various security levels and vendor networks before gaining access to customer financial data.

The intrusions at the Office of Personnel Management also may have taken quite a while to implement, and data may have been actively being monitored or stolen for months, if not years, before being detected. Nearly a decade ago, the Social Security Administration reported that more than 75 million records were stolen.

But even worse than illegal acquisition is identity fraud, when someone not only accesses your accounts without permission but takes action as you, such as making purchases. Sometimes intruders may access your address book/contacts and compose messages to your friends containing malicious links so they’ll think it’s you and follow the instructions and continue to spread the vulnerability.

Verification is one method being used to try to defend against basic online fraud. At its core, verification goes beyond a basic ID and password to demand more – maybe answer another personal question, maybe show extra identification, maybe actually produce an actual “chipped” credit card instead of reciting the numbers.

Text verification is also growing in popularity. Here, if you want to access a certain account, you not only need basic id/password but to enter a short string of random numbers that’s sent to you as a text message.

Here’s why this type of verification effort could be a smart move to improve security and reduce fraud.

• We’re always close to our phones. Mobile phone use keeps increasing over the years – in the past we may have checked ours a few times a day, but recent studies show that every age group uses their phones more, especially teen and tween users, who clock in an average of nine hours a day. This means if a verification text comes in, we’ll likely be the ones to get it.
  
  
• We’re quick to respond. One of the characteristics of typical texters is that they open and respond within minutes to a text, rather than email that may go hours, perhaps longer, without being opened or answered. The behavior could be an advantage if a verification text has a time limit before expiration, say 10-30 minutes.
  
  
• Texting verification codes can avoid classic email/online phishing schemes. The U.S. Department of the Treasury reminds users that one of the more common methods of trying to get personal info is an email that appears to be from a bank or a credit card company, requesting passwords or that the recipient click a link to go to a false page. If a recipient is educated that a) real banks won’t contact you this way, and b) to await a text, it will be easy to ignore these false requests.
  
  
• It avoids counterfeit cards. If someone has acquired your credit card info through artificial/illegal means, such as skimming (illegal devices that record transactions and PINs), criminals who print false cards, or even traditional fraud (a clerk who steals/sells numbers), they still won’t be able to access your accounts without your verification information.
  
  
• It requires constant log-ins. While some places may require verification when you create a new account or if you need to make occasional changes to your password or billing info, some especially security-conscious organizations can require verification every time you log-in. One Xbox privacy setting has this option, as does the Social Security Administration. This also decreases the likelihood of someone accessing an account without permission.
  
  
• Biometrics aren’t quite there yet. Ultimately, the best way to verify someone is with unique physical information, such as fingerprints or retinas. However, the industry agrees that the technology isn’t ready at a mass level, especially for online suggestions. While newer smartphones and vendors like Amazon or Starbucks can accept a thumb print, not all of them are that smart. MasterCard eventually would like to offer tools like ‘smart’ wristbands or facial recognition instead of passwords, but these ideas are still in the research stage. Until these detection systems become more stable and widespread, text verification might be a preferred option.
  
  

Verification does have some appeal but some education is also required. The Federal Trade Commission warns that one particular flaw involves criminals logging in with your id and password and then asking to make changes or reset the password. You’ll receive a text asking to approve this change. If you do so, they’ll have extra access. The FTC’s advice is simple: don’t respond to unknown verification codes.

For more text suggestions and security strategies visit www.trumpia.com.

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