Google Chrome could create identity theft risk

Business owners and employees use Internet browsers every day. One of the most popular is Google Chrome, but a recent report showed that people should be wary about using this browser.

According to security firm Identity Finder, Chrome creates several files on computers' hard drives that store information that could create identify theft risk, such as names, email addresses and bank account numbers.

"Chrome browser data is unprotected, and can be read by anyone with physical access to the hard drive, access to the file system or [by] simple malware," read a posting on the Identity Finder blog. "There are dozens of well-known exploits to access payload data and locally stored files."

Business owners and other professionals that have used Chrome in the past should keep an eye out for the common signs of identity theft to avoid significant damage to their consumer credit scores.

- Errors on bank statements: According to U.S. News & World Report, one of the most common signs of this crime is mistakes on bank statements. Generally, this signals that somebody is using a credit or debit card because they gained access to the number. For this reason, people need to keep an eye on their bank and credit statements each month.

- Calls from debt collectors: Unless a person has past due debt in collection, they shouldn't be receiving phone calls from debt collectors. Anyone who uses Chrome, and is getting these calls without a good reason, may have been a victim of identity theft.

- Missing mail: When personal information is stolen, criminals may change the address on accounts so people don't see the fraudulent charges on statements. However, not receiving mail from banks and creditors is a major sign of identity theft.