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[W138]Ways To Prevent Identity Theft

by Paul Wilcox, Pau

Empty your mail box quickly. Don't give identity thieves the opportunity to steal personal documents form your mail box, empty it every day as soon as possible. You can also get a PO Box or locking mail box for added security. You should also never mail bills or letters containing personal checks from home as they can be stolen too.

It is very important that your social security number stay private and safe. Carrying your social security card or other cards displaying the number would be unwise. You can also protect yourself by not writing your number on bills or checks that could fall into the wrong hands.

Home invaders often steal useful personal information when breaking and entering. Knowing this, the importance of storing your social security card in a safe or lock box becomes apparent.

Leaving receipts in stores, ATM's, or banks can also be dangerous. When paying with a credit card, you need to ensure that the receipt leaves whatever business establishment you find yourself in with you.

Never let your credit card out of your site. It is becoming increasingly common for employees of stores and restaurants to make copies of cards while they are away form their owners. If you can't keep track of your card pay with cash or check, or at restaurants pay the bill yourself instead of giving your car an employee.

Even though a phone call may seem very professional, you should never ever tell callers any personal information that could be easily used to steal your identity. If the call seems to be from your bank, try to determine why they have called you and then have them offer you a number to call them back at.

Opt out of junk mail. Respond to junk mail offers by asking to be removed form their list. This will save you the potential problem of having credit card offers stolen form your mail as well as save you form unwanted junk mail.

1. Get A Paper Shredder: This is the easiest way of all to protect your sensitive information. In fact, it is almost unthinkable that you would still be merely throwing away or recycling anything that has your personal information on it. It should go without saying that all of your credit card and bank statements, if they are not filed, should be destroyed by a shredding, by you, on site. One item that also needs to be destroyed, that might go unnoticed, however, is credit card applications. They can often fall into the wrong hands and be used by someone else to obtain credit in your name. To the shredder with them!

2. Protect your PIN: Whenever you use an ATM or a debit card at a grocery store, it wouldn't hurt to take a quick look over your shoulder to make sure that no one is watching you key in your secret code number. There is no end to the damage a criminal can do armed only with your name and PIN.

3. Keep The Check Out Of The Mail: If at all possible, have checks you have coming in directly deposited to your bank account. Conversely, if you still use personal checks to pay your bills, take them to the post office, or put them in a US mail box yourself. Identity thieves love to watch for people to put out their mail and then steal it before the mail person arrives to pick it up.

4. Check Your Monthly Statements: Often, identity thieves will make purchases with your accounts that are so small you may not notice them right away. Look at your statement closely for anything you may not have purchased. If you notice anything that you don't recognize investigate it further. Don't be afraid to call your bank or the credit card company and ask questions about a specific transaction.

5. Carry The Bare Minimum With You: You should have your social security number memorized, and if you don't, do it now. There is no reason to keep the card in your wallet, and the same rule applies to any credit cards you don't use. If your wallet or purse is stolen you don't want the thieves to have your SSN or access to a huge number of credit cards.

6. Get To Know FACTA: In 2005, the government put in place regulations that require businesses to destroy any sensitive information derived from their clients or customers before throwing it away. Known as the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, it was put in place to help ensure that identity thieves-or anyone else for that matter-- can't get their hands on any of your confidential information. Though it is likely that the people you do business with are in compliance with the law, is doesn't hurt to ask. Just as you should have a shredder, those whom you do business with should too.

Again, the easiest way to make sure that your most sensitive information doesn't fall into the wrong hands is to destroy it. If everyone used a shredder, it is safe to say that identity theft would happen a lot less often. Follow these six simple steps and help protect yourself from identity theft today.

Article Source : Pg. 39

About Author

Both Paul Wilcox & Jeff Mcritchie are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

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