| With the onset of technology and numerous methods | | | | browsers. It is best to keep these clear of your saved |
| for stealing the identity of others, credit theft is | | | | numbers and address information. Always have your |
| becoming a major concern of the 21st century. There | | | | forms completely wiped after a purchase. This will |
| are risks everywhere you turn, from shopping online to | | | | protect others from using viruses or malware to steal |
| use ATM's in your home town, and even going to a | | | | that information and relay it back. When the |
| fast food restaurant. Minimizing your identity theft risk is | | | | information isn't stored online, there is no way it can be |
| a surprisingly easy and effective way to make sure | | | | stolen. |
| your credit card information isn't stolen. | | | | Also if you are a member of any website where your |
| First of all, when using your credit or debit cards online | | | | billing information is saved, consider deleting that |
| you should always go through a service such as | | | | information. You can re-enter your credit card info at |
| paypal. Using a secondary payment service protects | | | | each purchase or use another method. Storing this |
| all of your information. It isn't stored on the website | | | | information without secure passwords on your |
| where it can be retrieved easily. Other payment | | | | account can lead to an increased risk. |
| services also offer identity protection and keep you | | | | After ensuring that your personal credit information isn't |
| safe when you purchase on big websites. This is | | | | stored secretly on servers, you can begin using a |
| definitely an option to consider to prevent identity theft. | | | | credit report and monitoring service. There are |
| As a precaution you should avoid giving out information | | | | services that send you regular updates regarding your |
| online or on the phone. If someone asks for this | | | | credit and tell you if something fishy is detected. This is |
| information through a phone call, politely decline. It is | | | | highly recommended for high risk individuals. If you |
| quite easy to mask a phone number as a legit | | | | have multiple credit cards, or have made security |
| company but they may be a scam company | | | | mistakes in the past, then this is a must for you to |
| attempting to gather information. Always call the | | | | incorporate into your life. Some services even update |
| company they claim to be so that you can confirm | | | | you daily regarding purchases and any activity that |
| that they are indeed the ones attempting to contact | | | | takes place. This is important since many people rarely |
| you. This way you are sure to get the right number | | | | notice problems with their credit until it is simply too late |
| and give your information to the right person. | | | | for them. Taking preventative measures such as using |
| You should also be sure not to save any case | | | | a credit monitoring service, can definitely protect you |
| sensitive information on your computer or on web | | | | later on down the line. |