Prevent Identity Theft With Six Commonsense Habits
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Posted By : Adrian Fletcher
It might seem like a huge number, but it is estimated that nearly 10 million people will be affected by some form of identity theft this year. The reality is that if you do any form of online or telephone shopping you could be at risk. In fact, in worst case scenarios, a cunning thief only needs you name to commit some forms of crime using your identity. Here are six ways that you can prevent identity theft happening to you.
If you are throwing out any mail or documents, check that they do not have any of your personal details on them. A common form of acquiring identity is to go through someones trash looking for this type of information. This could include any government letters, credit card statements, utility bills or receipts. You should shred these type of documents before throwing them away. If you don’t have a shredder then tear them up into many pieces.
Be prompt about removing mail from the mail box. Again, thieves will look in the mail box and get personal documents this way. If you are going on vacation or will be away from your home you could ask the postal service to hold your mail for that period or redirect it to someone you trust. You could even get a PO Box or locking mail box for increased security but this would take time to get your mail each day.
Social security numbers are a principal way in which thieves will steal your identity. Keep your Social security number in a safe place, like a safe or such like. You don’t need to carry it on you and should be wary about who you give the number out to.
Again, be careful with receipts that your get in your daily dealings. Things like ATM or bank statements or credit card receipts can hold important information that can be used against you. Always take them with you and shred at a later date if you don’t want them.
Don’t give any personal details to cold calling telephone people. They may sound legitimate but this is no guarantee that they are legitimate. Better still, ask them who they are, the company they are calling on behalf of and the reason for the call. Then phone back the company on a verified number and ask about the person and reason for calling. This should prove the legitimacy of the call and you may want to give the information they asked for away then.
Get rid of the junk mail. You don’t want any of your information, even your name and address, on mail that you have no time or need for. Respond to unwanted junk mail by asking to have your name removed from the mailing list. They are obliged to remove your name by law and you should not have tonnes of meaningless junk mail in your mail box.
Whilst most of these suggestions are common sense and easy to do, people tend to drop their guard from time to time. Either they think identity theft won’t happen to them or they get a little disorganized. The best bet is to make these suggestions into daily habits that become automatic behavior. Thus you give yourself the best possible chance of avoiding being a victim of identity theft.
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For advice on identity theft protection, visit www.identitytheftsentry.com . Learn about phishing and other common identity theft scams.