Preventing Identity Theft With These Crime Preventing Tips
Nowadays, taking steps in preventing identity theft is an essential part of our lives. Over the last few years the profile of the crime has risen nearly as fast as the crime itself (its now the fastest growing crime in the world). To most people, the realization that the identity thief wants your identity for just one reason: To commit as many acts of fraud as possible before you find out.
Most identity thieves want your Social Security card number, passwords and bank account, credit card number and other information. Therefore, in preventing identity theft, ensure that you have your own system in place so you never accidentally give out financial information. So where are the potential dangers and risks that can compromise your security? Lets briefly take a look at some of them.
Mailbox: Lock it securely! Many people still do not bother and yet it’s one of the easiest steps you can take in preventing identity theft. Without it, all the identity thief needs to do is walk past, open and grab your post. Cut your post down as much as possible by singing up to online banking and cancelling paper bank statements.
Purses And Wallets: Getting hold of your typical purse or wallet is like striking gold for the identity thief so always try and keep it safe. Also, have a look through it right now and see if you really need to be carrying everything that’s in there. Your social security number for instance, when was the last time you actually needed it going about your every day business? Take it out and leave it somewhere safe and only take it with you when you know you will need it, new job, hospital visit etc. Better still, try and memorize it so you never need to carry it on your person.
The Trash: If you are serious about preventing identity theft you simply must invest in a paper shredder. You can pick one up for around $20 nowadays and its a must have tool to beat the dumpster divers. All identity thieves know the easiest way to find a usable identity is to look in the trash. A bank or credit card statement, letter from the hospital etc. All can be used as a first step in creating another financial you.
Don’t Ignore The Professionals: A company like Life Lock charge around $10 a month and there are other similar companies now springing up. It could be a small price to pay for the peace of mind that comes with it.
Giving Away Information: The identity thief is a brazen thief. Posing as your doctors office, your bank etc. they will often phone or email folk asking for personal information. Emails especially seem to work well for them, probably because of the sheer numbers. Software allows them to email millions at a time so it only requires less than 1% to comply and they’ve had a good day at work. Never give out social security numbers, bank account details and especially passwords. Your online bank, ebay, Amazon etc. NEVER ask for your password in an email.
Lockers: You are much more likely to know the person who steals your identity than the criminal be some con artist working from a laptop in Nigeria. If you use lockers at work or the gym, use your own locks on them if possible. If you go away on vacation, empty your lockers before you go. If a work mate know’s you are away for 2 weeks he’s got a great head start with those credit cards!
The above are just a few of the many steps you should be taking if you are serious about preventing identity theft. For many more tips and advice on preventing identity theft please feel free to grab your copy of our complimentary ebook, “Facts About Identity Theft“