| Identity theft usually comes about when a particular | | | | after the http when at the check out screen in the |
| person unlawfully gets your personal data like your | | | | website you are buying from. S means the website is |
| Social Security Number, Credit card Accounts, Driver's | | | | safe and secure. It should look like this: https:// then the |
| License Number and other information about you. | | | | website name. The S appears only at the final check |
| The person who gets your private information utilizes it | | | | out screens. |
| to his or her loan or credit card application, that is under | | | | 8. When using your personal computer, you should |
| your name. The thief also makes use of it to do | | | | definitely use firewalls or any virus protections. You |
| unlawful purchases or to use any of your active | | | | can also make use of your password that are made |
| financial accounts. | | | | up of not purely letters, solely numbers and purely |
| Identity theft is incredibly rampant today, however | | | | symbols. |
| there are important guidelines you can consider which | | | | It should be a combination of either letters and |
| in turn will help you lessen the potential of becoming | | | | numbers, letters and symbol, symbols and number. A |
| one of those identity theft victims. | | | | password should contain a combination of the three. |
| 1. Do not give any of your personal information such as | | | | Remember not to use passwords that are obvious, |
| your birth date, social security number and account | | | | such as your birth date, anniversaries or phone |
| numbers over the phone Especially any time anyone | | | | numbers. If necessary, memorize your passwords. |
| asks you for it. | | | | Never jot it down anywhere. |
| Also, do not give it by means of email except if you | | | | 9. Do not reply to any emails that request you to |
| are the one who started the contact and if you know | | | | update information. Contact the credit card office or |
| the person who will be obtaining your information. | | | | the bank directly to update your private information. |
| 2. Tear into tiny pieces the papers that have your | | | | Take into account that bank and other financial or |
| private data before disposing of them. These papers | | | | non-financial institutions do not ask for information |
| includes credit card bills, checking accounts and bank | | | | update by means of email. So, beware of those |
| accounts | | | | frauds that request it from you. |
| 3. Have correct and current records of all your cards | | | | 10. If you see a lot of pre-approved credit offers in |
| and put the person to contact, with these records if | | | | your emails, call the credit card company and request |
| they should come up missing or are stolen. If possible, | | | | to have your name removed from the promotional lists |
| make copies of your credit cards and put your service | | | | they advertise. |
| number on the copies. Lock this information up in a | | | | 11. Place all of your mail at the post office than put it |
| very secure spot. | | | | and leave it in your mailbox. You might be providing the |
| If you are not using your credits card now, make sure | | | | identity thief a chance to steal personal information |
| to store them in a secure place and have it locked. | | | | from you, otherwise. |
| It is also nice to store your unused checks, social | | | | 12. Make certain you selected you new, issued checks |
| security card and bank statement in a secure location. | | | | personally from your financial institution. Do not permit it |
| 4. You should also make sure to make credit card | | | | to be sent to you by mail. |
| receipt copies when purchasing something. Moreover, | | | | 13. Put passwords on all your accounts for your |
| confirm that your credit card was returned to you. | | | | safety. Again, make use of the combination of letters, |
| 5. It is necessary to monitor your credit report every | | | | numbers or symbols when generating passwords. |
| year. There are three key credit card reporting offices, | | | | 14. You can apply for an identification theft insurance |
| which can help you do this. | | | | policy also. |
| These three reporting offices permit you to have a | | | | 15. Also available are credit watch offices. Credit |
| free credit report each year. If you want, you can visit | | | | Unions have been known to do this as part of their |
| their websites and ask for a free report. | | | | offered services. You can register with any credit |
| 6. You should also ensure that when you are | | | | watch office or ask about it at your credit union or |
| withdrawing from any ATM machines or stores, there | | | | bank. Credit watch offices make checking all your |
| is absolutely no one at your back who may possibly | | | | credit reports easier by automatically informing you if |
| freely see your PIN number. | | | | something has changed in your report. |
| In addition, be sure that no one hears you when you | | | | This way, it will be possible for you to find out if |
| are providing your credit card number or other | | | | someone attempts to use credit under your name as |
| personal data about you to another person on the | | | | soon as possible. |
| telephone. | | | | By merely following the alternatives above, you will be |
| 7. When purchasing something on-line, ensure that the | | | | protecting yourself from any identity theft. |
| website is safe. To do this, make sure an S is present | | | | |