Simple Ways to Protect Yourself From Identity Theft
Protecting yourself from identity theft is not entirely possible if you want to be covered 100%. There is always the possibility of a breach in your protection which can leave you disgruntled, bitter and untrusting.
Subscribing to identity protection programs can be quite expensive. Despite the additional cost, this does not guarantee an ironclad protection. You can still be a victim of identity theft. However, you can make yourself less visible to identity thieves and you can do so by these simple things
1. Tear up your private records and personal financial statements before you throw them out of the trash. These documents or correspondences should be destroyed before they even reach your bins. Tear them up or shred them, the choice is yours.
2. Guard your mailbox. You need to know the time when the postman gets in to deliver your mail. If you do so, then you need to empty your mailbox immediately and lock it afterwards. Identity thieves are known to score pitches in your mailbox by snatching your credit card statements or pre-approved credit card offers. You should never send outgoing bill payments and checks from home. As mentioned, these can be stolen and the payee’s name can be erased using various solvents. To be safe, you can either mail them from the post office or another location where it is more secure.
3. Protect your social security number with your life. Do not take it with you wherever you go. Do not carry it around like your credit cards, as well as any other card that has your number like medical insurance cards. Some people also practice writing their social security numbers on their checks. That should never be done. Your social security number is the main target of any identity thief because this can give them the access that they need to obtain your credit reports and bank accounts.
4. Paper trails are not just for criminals to leave, they are also yours. As much as possible, take your receipt with you especially if you used your credit card to make the purchase. ATM, credit card or gas stations receipts should be taken home and disposed of properly.
5. Watch out for your credit card. Never let it out of your sight. Have you heard of skimming This can seriously put you in trouble and therefore, whenever possible, pay with cash.
6. Do not transact with anyone you don’t know. It is essential that you know who you are dealing with. There have been a lot of scams that involve identity thieves phoning their potential victims while posing as bank representatives to get your personal information. Do not immediately give them what they ask for, unless you are able to verify the identity of the person you are talking to. Find out who they are, what company or institution do they represent, and what is the purpose of their call. If you feel doubtful, contact the company yourself and inform them that the person on the other line told you to verify.
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