| Everyday we read in the newspaper that millions of | | | | card used, account number and the like are state in |
| people all over the world are becoming a victim of | | | | the receipts. So in order to prevent identity theft, |
| identity theft. Identity theft is a serious crime that is | | | | secure those receipts and keep them for future |
| punishable by law. It happens when your personal | | | | references of your own purchases. |
| information is stolen and used without your knowledge, | | | | #3 To prevent identity theft, make it a habit to check |
| it is use to commit fraud, steal or use your identity to | | | | your credit rating and credit report annually. This is free |
| commit other crimes. | | | | so be a responsible consumer and check this report. |
| Identity theft has become a global problem that occurs | | | | This is also a way to check if someone is using your |
| every minute, and since then this has been the banking | | | | identity to make purchases, take advantage of your |
| industries problem. This is because, it involves major | | | | finances, and use your is identity for their personal |
| financial losses for the financial industry, as more and | | | | gains. |
| more people files for fraudulent transaction. In fact, the | | | | #4 Examine your financial statements carefully, it is |
| most common form of identity theft is the credit card | | | | important that you have a record of your purchases |
| fraud. | | | | within the month so that you will know if there is an |
| The second would be bank frauds wherein thieves | | | | entry or charges that you did not do or purchase. |
| are able to cash in checks, secure a loan, and take all | | | | #5 When throwing out your thrash make sure that all |
| your savings, and other benefits using the information | | | | bank receipts, check or bank statements or credit card |
| that they got from you. | | | | billing are thoroughly shredded. Identity thief's go for |
| To prevent this from happening to you, here are 5 | | | | your thrash to get important information from you. So |
| ways to prevent identity theft: | | | | be careful on the things you throw. |
| #1 Take care of your mails. When paying bills through | | | | There are ways to prevent identity theft from |
| mail do not simply put them in your mail boxes where | | | | happening to you. It is up to you to be alert and |
| anyone ca have an access to it. Make it a habit to | | | | outsmart these perpetrators. When you suspect that |
| drop them off personally in your local post office. | | | | there is an abnormality in your statements, and bills, |
| #2 When paying for your purchases in the mall, do not | | | | immediately contact your bank and other institutions |
| just hand your credit card to the cashier. Be alert to | | | | that holds all your finances and let them know that |
| the people around you, the thieves can use something | | | | someone has stolen your identity and that the |
| as simple as their mobile phones to take your card | | | | perpetrators are using your identity. |
| information. | | | | Learn more about how this people work so that you |
| Keep tape receipts inside your bag. Tape receipts is a | | | | can immediately identify how they operate and you |
| handy way to get out pertinent information from you, | | | | can be able to protect your personal accounts and |
| because it contains some information like the type of | | | | finances. |