May 4, 2007

Identity Theft - 15 Tips To Protect Yourself

Tip! Credit identity theft. Someone uses your information to obtain loans, goods, or services and does not pay the bills.

Whenever you turn on the TV news, or read any newspaper and news magazines, one of the hot topics of conversation is identity theft. There is little reason why, as identity theft is skyrocketing. It’s a crime that can affect anyone, regardless of credit history or financial status.

We are seeing reports every month about thieves stealing massive amounts of personal information. From 250,000 veterans to 400,000 individual social security numbers from one of the major credit card companies, the odds of someone getting access to your personal information are increasing with each passing day.

How do we protect ourselves against identity theft? One of the best ways to protect yourself is by being educated. We should all keep ourselves aware of how to reduce the chances of someone stealing our identity. Here are 15 easy tips to help prevent you from becoming the next victim of identity theft.

1. You can talk with people in person or on the phone who you don’t know, but never give them your personal information. This could have disastrous consequences in the wrong hands.

2. Try not to talk about financial events going on in your life while out in public around others. Things like capital investments, big ticket purchases, etc.

Tip! Mail problems � One of the least-technological ways to commit identity theft is stealing mail. If you aren’t receiving mail or if you aren’t getting items in the mail that you are expecting, such as credit card bills, then you may be a victim of identity theft.

3. Don’t carry your checkbook and check register with you. Leave them in your home. Carry 1 or 2 blank checks with you in your wallet. Many identity theft victims have reported that having their check books stolen from them helped thieves get even more of your personal information.

4. Memorize your Social Security number. You should never carry your SS card in your wallet or purse. You have an increased chance of it being taken and becoming a victim of identity theft.

5. Carry only one or two credit cards with you when you are out in public. Leave the others at home.

Tip! Properly Dispose Important Documents. Shred or tear up receipts, personal applications, bank or credit card statements and scatter them among different waste bins to prevent identity theft.

6. Do not keep personal information stored on your laptop computer. Items such as social security number, bank account numbers, passwords, etc. should always be deleted.

7. Avoid charging a high total on one card. Use both cards and keep things as even as possible in order to avoid attracting attention.

8. Make sure you maintain a list of all your different credit cards along with the various 800 numbers to call if they are lost or stolen. Keep this list in a safe place, not your wallet.

9. Try to limit the use of ATM machines. If you must use one, be sure no one is around you at the time. Stand where others can’t see the keypad while you key in your password. ATM machines are a great target for those who would like to steal your identity.

Tip! Be aware when your bills usually arrive every month and check them over carefully. Thieves can steal your credit card statements and this popular type of identity theft has been around for decades.

10. One way to destroy old documents you no longer need to keep is to shred them. You can also destroy them by letting them soak in warm water for several minutes. When they turn to pulp you can simply throw it away. Identity theft is impossible by doing this.

11. Take personal items out of your wallet. Never keep receipts in your wallet, or leave them lying around in your car.

12. If you are traveling, memorize your hotel room number. Don’t leave it on a piece of paper somewhere.

13. Be sure you have your mail stopped by the post office if you are going to be away from home for any length of time. A mailbox full of delivered mail can be a goldmine to any potential identity thieves.

14. When you are using a credit card to make an online purchase, be sure to only use it on sites that use SSC technology. This can’t be stressed enough.

Tip! Finally, file a complaint with the FTC to help law enforcement across the country track identity thieves and catch them. You will also be referred to other useful government agencies and consumer organizations to help you recover from identity theft.

15. Never put personal information or personal letters in the trash. Always shred them or destroy them by other means.

By using these tips you can greatly reduce the possibility of becoming a victim of identity theft. Even so, there is still no guaranteed way of protecting yourself completely. Continue to educate yourself in this area. By doing so you can make it next to impossible for any would be thieve to steal your identity and make life miserable.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Identity Theft

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