Identity Theft Information Keeps You Safe
Identity theft information is easily found online. The trouble
isn’t finding the information; it’s sorting through it to know
what good advice is and what isn’t. This article will provide
you with some basics on how to protect your identity and your
financial future.
Identity theft is the fastest growing crime today. Millions of
people are affected every year and billions of dollars are lost
to fraudulent activity. It’s more important than ever for all of
us to be diligent. If your identity is stolen it doesn’t just
affect you, it affects all of us since the companies pass on
those lost dollars to all of us in the form of higher fees.
Take this identity theft information and use it to protect
yourself as well as help keep costs down for all of us:
1. Don’t give out your personal information. It’s easy to get
caught off guard when some quick talking person calls you on the
phone and says there is a problem with your account, could you
please verify your information?
But stop and think, if the bank, Credit Card Company or utility
company is calling you, than why would they need your
information? They are calling you; don’t they already have your
information? Yes, they do. It’s most likely a scam, hang up and
call the company yourself.
2. Shred your documents. It only takes a minute and you may be
surprised to learn how much damage can be done with some simple
information. Better to be safe than sorry.
3. Don’t carry your social security card with you. Also don’t
put your driver’s license number on your checks. With your birth
date and your driver’s license number a thief can do a lot of
damage. Don’t make it easy for them; keep your information to
yourself.
4. You get to check each of the three credit bureaus every year,
for free. Do it. Take full advantage and if you see something
that looks wrong, contact the credit bureau right away.
5. it’s a hassle, I know, but look over your credit card and
bank statements thoroughly every month. Finding a mistake can be
a sign that someone is using your identity.
6. Keep your computer protected. Keep your entire antivirus and
anti spyware up to date and run scans frequently. Keep firewalls
active all the time.
7. Don’t ever make the mistake of thinking that you can click on
a link in an email and that you will be at the site of your
bank, or Credit Card Company and start filling in personal
information. There are ways of masking the website address and
making it appear you are on a different site.
So you may be thinking that you are on the site for your bank
when in actuality you are on the site of scammers and they are
gathering all your personal information. Don’t click links,
instead type the address in yourself.
Use this identity theft information as a starting point. You can
always ask your bank and credit card company for more help,
after all, if you can protect your identity you can help them
from losing a lot of money.