| Unfortunately, identity theft is becoming much more | | | | theft. So keep a close watch on financial things you |
| common these days. People get their credit cards and | | | | must carry with you, such as checkbooks, credit cards, |
| more stolen, only later to be faced with charges they | | | | and other financial needs that can nonetheless give an |
| never made. Sometimes, this can result in a bad credit | | | | identity thief a windfall. |
| history through no fault of your own. Because identity | | | | If your financial information does get stolen, make sure |
| theft is becoming increasingly widespread, it's | | | | you have a list of your credit cards written down |
| something you need to be aware of so that you can | | | | somewhere along with a credit card numbers so that |
| prevent it, and know what you need to do if you do | | | | you can content companies right away so as to |
| become a victim of it so as to avoid further financial | | | | cancel those accounts. Don't keep this information in |
| trouble. | | | | the same place as you do credit cards, because this |
| If someone asks you for your personal information, | | | | only makes it useless. Calling credit card companies |
| make sure you know why they want it and that they | | | | right away once you know your credit cards have |
| are above board. In general, the best policy is to only | | | | been stolen will make it possible for them to freeze |
| give your personal information out to people you have | | | | your credit card account so that thieves cannot use |
| contacted specifically, such as your bank or financial | | | | your credit cards for unauthorized purchases. |
| institution, for specific matters. If someone calls you | | | | In addition, make sure that you order a copy of your |
| cold, don't give your financial information out, no matter | | | | credit report each year, from each of the three major |
| how good a particular offer sounds. | | | | bureaus. In this way, you will be able to tell whether |
| Whenever possible, don't carry your credit cards with | | | | there have been any suspicious charges you're not |
| you, or carry just one. Shred bank statements and | | | | responsible for. |
| other sensitive financial information before you throw it | | | | Again, shred anything you have to throw out that's |
| out. If someone gets hold of bank statements or credit | | | | financially sensitive. Otherwise, thieves can very easily |
| card statements, that person can use that information | | | | go through your trash and find out just what they need |
| to cause damage before you ever find out about the | | | | to know to steal your identity from you. |