This is truly the information age and the need to pass information is constantly growing. Internet shopping is expanding rapidly, as is the concept of online banking, credit cards and financial sites such as PayPal. With this increase in financial information being sent over the World Wide Web, its really no wonder that weve also seen an increase in identity fraud and identity theft. Information about people, including their personal, work and credit information is easily accessed by anyone who has access to just some of your personal information. Most of that information comes from bank and credit card statements and other mail, both email and postal mail, that you dump without worrying about.
Its time to go on the offensive and lessen the chances of your falling victim to identity theft. The more difficult it is for a thief to steal your identity, the less likely it is to happen to you most times if it is too difficult, the thief will move on to someone less suspecting who has done little to protect their identity.
There are a few steps that you can take to help lessen your chances of having your identity stolen. While these few things will not guarantee your safety from criminals it will help to deter them hopefully enough that they will move on to the next person.
- Purchase a shredder. Shredders are not expensive and can be bought for less than $20 in most cases. You should shred everything that has personal information on it including invoices, receipts, bank statements, credit card bills, phone bills, etc. This deters people from obtaining your information from your garbage can and yes, it does happen often. If you arent sure whether or not a piece of paper could be used to steal your identity shred it. Every aspect of information should be shredded before throwing it away.
- Protect your PIN number at the ATM. If there are people around you when you are inputting your PIN, and you feel they are standing too closely, ask them to step back. Your PIN is the key to your bank account anyone with that key can steal the money from your account. You should also look at the ATM itself before you input your card or PIN. Look for surveillance cameras that point to the pin pad and card readers that are placed over the actual card reader of the ATM. Sometimes its difficult to detect, but if you think something is amiss, walk away and inform the bank.
- Watch for hidden cameras in places where you submit information such as your credit card number, pin number at a store, etc. These cameras should never be pointed at or near a PIN pad and if you fear it is pointed in that direction, etiher leave the store without making a purchase, pay with cash instead or shield your inputting of information with your body wholly.
- Dont mail checks these are land mines of personal and financial information. If you need to mail a check, do so in a secure envelope and drop it off at the post office instead of in a mail slot on the corner. If you are receiving checks, ask to have them delivered by courier or registered mail.
- Print a list of your credit card numbers, passwords, user names and account numbers and store them in a safe place, such as in your safety deposit box or in a locked box or safe in your home.
- Never save information or the list as mentioned above on your computer in ANY format.
- On your credit cards back sides, write Ask to see my ID. Many clerks treat a credit card as if it were cash and do not check for the identity of the person using the card. If they do not ask, inform them they should and ask them why they didnt.
- If you are moving, register your new address with the post office and immediately call all of your subscriptions, banks, credit cards and accounts that you have a new mailing address.
- Dont carry unnecessary things with you such as your SSN card, credit cards you wont be needing, checks, etc. Carry one or two checks with you and the credit card you will be using, but none of the others. Keep your SSN card and the cards you dont use regularly locked in a safe or lock box at home or at your bank.
Guard your information with your life it is vital that you protect your own identity at all times. Be vigilant!
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Faithe Thomas is concerned about identity theft and online fraud. She designed a website to help victims and pre-victims: http://www.identity-fraud.info
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