How To Protect Yourself From Identity Theft - 4 Ways

Anyone who hasn't been living in a cave for the last few years knows that identity theft is the fastest growing type of crime. There are no guarantees but there are some simple things you can do to make sure you don't become a target. Learn how to protect yourself from identity theft.

Knowledge is power and no where is that more true than when it comes to keeping your identity safe. There are specific steps you can take to make yourself a 'harder' target for would be thieves.

I recently read an account of a man who lived in the Chicago area who found out that an illegal immigrant had been using his identity for several years. Since the thief paid his bills on time it never showed up on the mans credit report... he had no idea!

The first step, and the most obvious, is don't make it easy for the thieves, learn how to protect yourself from identity theft. Don't just give out your personal information. A friend of mine has been carrying her social security card in her wallet for years. I've warned her repeatedly that she is taking a big risk.

Don't carry any more identification than is absolutely necessary. You don't need to carry your social security card with you. Also, don't leave the house with all your credit cards. Only carry one, unless you need more to go shopping.

2. Never give out personal information to someone on the phone... unless you called them. There are cheap devices available today that can mask the caller ID of anyone. So even though your caller ID says it's your local bank (or utility company, or credit card company) calling that doesn't mean it really is them.

If you ever get a suspicious call err on the side of caution and politely get off the phone then call the company back... and don't call the number that you get from the person who just called you, make sure you look the number up yourself so you know who you're calling.

3. You would be surprised at how much a thief can do with the simplest of information. For that reason, make sure that you shred all papers before you throw them in the trash. Again, it's a good idea to err on the side of caution. Even if you think that the papers don't have any important info on them, why not just be careful? It only takes a minute to shred.

4. Never click on a link in an email to be taken to a website and then enter personal information on that site. Again, just like with the caller ID on a phone, thieves can make it appear that you are on a website, say for your bank, when in reality you are on their website and they are stealing your personal information. Make sure you type the address into your web browser.

It's actually quite easy to learn how to protect yourself from identity theft, the most important thing is to just take these simple precautions.

Identity Theft Information Keeps You Safe

Identity theft information is easily found online. The trouble isn't finding the information, it's sorting through it to know what is good advice and what isn't. This article will provide you with some basics on how to protect your identity and your financial future.

Identity theft is the fastest growing crime today. Millions of people are affected every year and billions of dollars are lost to fraudulent activity. It's more important than ever for all of us to be diligent. If your identity is stolen it doesn't just affect you, it affects all of us since the companies pass on those lost dollars to all of us in the form of higher fees.

Take this identity theft information and use it to protect yourself as well as help keep costs down for all of us:

1. Don't give out your personal information. It's easy to get caught off guard when some quick talking person calls you on the phone and says there is a problem with your account, could you please verify your information?

But stop and think, if the bank, credit card company or utility company is calling you, than why would they need your information? They are calling you, don't they already have your information? Yes, they do. It's most likely a scam, hang up and call the company yourself.

2. Shred your documents. It only takes a minute and you may be surprised to learn how much damage can be done with some simple information. Better to be safe than sorry.

3. Don't carry your social security card with you. Also don't put your drivers license number on your checks. With your birth date and your drivers license number a thief can do a lot of damage. Don't make it easy for them, keep your information to yourself.

4. You get to check each of the three credit bureaus every year, for free. Do it. Take full advantage and if you see something that looks wrong, contact the credit bureau right away.

5. It's a hassle, I know, but look over your credit card and bank statements thoroughly every month. Finding a mistake can be a sign that someone is using your identity.

6. Keep your computer protected. Keep all your anti virus and anti spyware up to date and run scans frequently. Keep firewalls active all the time.

7. Don't ever make the mistake of thinking that you can click on a link in an email and that you will be at the site of your bank, or credit card company and start filling in personal information. There are ways of masking the website address and making it appear you are on a different site.

So you may be thinking that you are on the site for your bank when in actuality you are on the site of scammers and they are gathering all your personal information. Don't click links, instead type the address in yourself.

Use this identity theft information as a starting point. You can always ask your bank and credit card company for more help, after all, if you can protect your identity you can help them from losing a lot of money.

Identity Theft And Fraud - Yes It Can Happen To You

Identity theft and fraud are always a concern but during the holiday season it is even more so. Identity thieves absolutely love this time of year. They can steal identities almost at will because people become so complacent and do not try to protect themselves the way they should. Many people suffer from the 'It can't happen to me' syndrome. That is, until it does happen to them.

Then they cannot enjoy the holidays because they have had their identity stolen and have to deal with calling credit card companies and credit bureaus and lawyers and goodness only knows who else to try to fix the problem. It can take years to unravel an identity theft problem. Save yourself a lot of BS and protect yourself right from the get go.

Don't think that it is only credit cards and numbers that can be stolen either. Identity thieves can get your sensitive information by hacking into your computer. Don't think it can't be done. If you can think it up, it probably already has been done. Identity thieves are always looking for new ways to get at sensitive information whether it is going through your trash, your pocketbook, your mail or your computer, no area of your life is untouchable and you should very well keep that in mind.

Everything you do is traceable and subject to identity theft and fraud. There is someone out there who knows you better than you do and frankly if you do not protect yourself from identity theft, yours will be stolen someday, I can guarantee it.

I can hear it now, "Yeah, but my credit is in the dumps. No one in their right mind would want to steal my identity, they could never get anywhere with it." Well, that very well may be but, would it surprise you to know that your identity may have already been stolen? Illegal aliens come into this country and buy 'new identities' and then are able to get a driver's license, a new social security card and credit cards. Where do you think they get these 'new identities'? Someone stole yours!

As long as these illegals continue to live under the radar, pay their bills on time and don't get greedy you will probably never know your identity is being used by someone else. Don't kid yourself, nothing is private anymore.

There are all kinds of scams out there. Never respond to an email that asks for your sensitive information. Any company out there worth their salt will not ask for your sensitive information in an email. The only people who will ask for your sensitive information in an email are the ones who are up to no good and will send your credit rating straight down the tubes.

So when you are shopping online and you have to enter your credit card information make sure the sites you are on are secure and don't give out your information or make it easy for identity theft and fraud to take place.

Identity Theft - Credit Card Fraud Knowledge Is Your Weapon

Do you know what information is important to protect so you do not become a victim of identity theft credit card fraud? I guess the first answer is obvious, your credit card information. Your statements come in the mail right?

So what you want to do is get to your mailbox as soon as the mail carrier delivers, if possible. Believe it or not there are people out there who will steal mail from your mailbox to get your information. Yup, I'm not kidding they will go to any lengths to get someone's information and use it for their own benefit. Unfortunately it is to your detriment.

Learning how to prevent identity theft credit card fraud in the first place can and will save you a lot of time, effort and money in the long run. If your identity does get stolen the first thing you need to do is contact all the credit card companies that you hold a card with and get a fraud alert put on them or cancel them all together and have the card companies send you new ones. Go over your statements and dispute any unknown charges you find. You are not responsible for any charges not made by you.

Next, call the credit bureaus and file fraud alerts with them. I think that if you just contact one they will let the other two know there is an alert filed and the proper steps will be taken by the other two as well. Have them send you a copy of your credit report so you can see what's been going on with your credit and immediately dispute any and all unknown accounts. If you keep up to date with your credit report then you can head off any potential problems before they become big problems.

So what other information is high risk for theft? Your social security number is a big one, bank account information and any PINs or passwords to these accounts. Do not keep PINs or passwords to your cards or accounts anywhere near the card or other account information.

Make it as hard for someone to steal your identity as possible. Do not keep your social security card in your wallet. Store it safely at home where you know where it is in case you need it. Otherwise just memorize the number. Keep things as simple as possible then you will not have to worry.

Do not throw out important sensitive documents like bank statements in your trash. Like I said thieves will go to any lengths to get your information and going through your trash is no exception. Disgusting, I know but they do. So do yourself a favor and buy a crosscut shredder and shred every piece of paper that has sensitive information on it. I do not care if it is just your phone number, shred it.

Do not forget about the internet. The internet has made identity theft so much easier these days. Hackers can and will do anything they can to get your information. Do not use any unsecure sites for shopping or give out any information like your social security number or credit card number unless you can verify that the site you are on is secure. Identity theft, credit card fraud is more prevalent during the holiday season so be extra careful when you are out there in the trenches doing your holiday shopping.