| Have you ever had a huge credit card bill without even | | | | made in your bank and check the billing statement and |
| purchasing the things listed in the credit card | | | | withdrawal statement carefully and thoroughly. |
| statement? | | | | Criminals who commit identity fraud are usually careful, |
| Have you ever been arrested for outstanding parking | | | | purchasing only one item at a time in the duration of |
| tickets even if you know that you didn't even commit | | | | the credit card billing mails. If you find something |
| any traffic violations? | | | | irregular in your credit card billing statement, report it |
| Then you might be a victim of identity theft crime. | | | | immediately to concerned authorities. |
| This kind of crime can be very damaging and | | | | • Criminals who commit identity theft usually go |
| frustrating for its victims. Not only that it the person | | | | dumpster diving. This means that they go look in |
| committing this crime can steal your money, but the | | | | garbage to obtain any discarded documents containing |
| criminal can also ruin your reputation. Financial fraud, | | | | personal and financial information. You should be |
| such as credit card fraud, bank account fraud and | | | | careful when you dispose of your documents |
| computer fraud are examples of identity theft. Another | | | | containing personal and financial information. If it is |
| type of identity theft involves criminal activities | | | | possible, burn them or shred them to the point that it |
| committed in your name. Imagine yourself being | | | | cannot be put back together. |
| investigated for a crime that you didn't commit. This | | | | • Do not carry any unnecessary documents or |
| can be frustrating or upsetting for anyone who | | | | cards in your wallet or purse containing your personal |
| becomes a victim of identity theft or identity fraud. | | | | information. A simple crime like stealing your wallet or |
| Crimes like these can be very devastating for the | | | | purse can immediately turn to identity crime. This is one |
| victims and also for the victim's family. It can result on | | | | of the most common ways a thief uses to obtain |
| you being convicted for tax evasion or even fraud. | | | | personal information. |
| There are many forms that identity theft can occur, it | | | | • It is wise to make photo copies of your credit |
| can simply be as simple as a lost or forgotten credit | | | | cards, passports and other sensitive documents to |
| card or submitting your personal information in emails | | | | easily cancel it if ever it was stolen. |
| to people you don't know. | | | | • Your deposit slips is one of the easiest ways a |
| This is why you should know how to protect yourself | | | | thief can acquire your personal information. Be careful |
| from identity theft. It is important that you should be | | | | with it. Keep it in a safe place in your home and also |
| cautious on whom you give your personal information | | | | try to be aware of it in public areas. Deposit slips can |
| to and also you should be aware with all your credit | | | | provide the thief to access your bank account. |
| cards and other things that can provide personal and | | | | • Your account in emails and other websites also |
| financial information about you. | | | | provide personal and financial information. Be sure that |
| Here are some ways to protect yourself from identity | | | | you have a very secure password. Do not use easy |
| theft: | | | | to guess passwords such as, your birthday, or your |
| • If someone calls you and tells you that they are | | | | mothers maiden name. |
| from the credit card company or other financial | | | | If you suspect that you are a victim of identity theft, |
| institutions, and would be asking you about your | | | | you should contact the concerned authorities, such as |
| personal information, do not give it to them. Hang up | | | | the police and fraud offices the moment you suspect |
| the phone and call the credit card company or financial | | | | it. Close your bank accounts immediately and get your |
| institution the caller said he or she is from. | | | | credit card reissued with a different account number. |
| • If you need to give out your personal information | | | | Tell your bank about your suspicion by calling and |
| to a company, be sure that the company you're | | | | stating it in writing. |
| dealing with will protect the information you give them. | | | | For tips on dreams about death, dreams about spiders |
| Ask on how secure their files are. | | | | and other information, visit the Knowledge Galaxy |
| • It is wise that you should keep track of all the | | | | website. |
| credit card purchases you made and withdrawals you | | | | |