Nearly everyone has heard of identity theft and nearly everyone thinks it can’t happen to them. Identity theft is growing very quickly while claiming many new victims that did not think it could happen to them either. Its costs run at about $5.5 billion per year.
The good news is that you don’t have to be a victim. No one is ever completely safe, but there are steps that you can take to minimize your risk to identity theft. Please take just a few minutes to read over the rest of this article. It could save you countless hours of aggravation later.
· Purchase a paper shredder to destroy all unwanted documents such as junk mail and any outdated personal information. Shred any piece of paper that has any personal information on it prior to throwing it away.
· Use a PIN for your credit cards and debit cards that is not easily guessed. Just pick a number at random with no logic to it.
· Check your mail daily and do not leave it in your mailbox. Don’t leave outgoing mail with checks for pickup in your mailbox. Mailboxes are easy to break into and only keep out the honest people.
· Don’t throw away documents or receipts in a public place. Wait until you get home and can shred them.
· When it comes to social security numbers, don’t carry your social security card or numbers with you. Always be cautious when giving out social security numbers and ask why they need them.
· Know when your bills usually arrive in the mail and check them over carefully. You don’t want to give away your bank or credit card information to an identity thief. Switching to online statements or billing may be a good alternative.
· Check your financial statements carefully. You should recognize all the transactions and report anything suspicious activity immediately. Report any stolen or lost credit cards immediately.
· It is a good idea to monitor your credit report from the three credit reporting agencies at least on an annual basis. There are many resources online that will assist with this, just do a search of credit report.
Taking precautions to prevent identity theft is a much less expensive route than trying to repair the damage to your credit after the fact. A few precautions could save you countless headaches because after it happens, it is too late.
