10 Ways to Minimize the Risk of Identity Theft
In the fight against America’s fastest rising crime, identity theft, common sense is our best weapon. By taking some simple steps to properly manage your personal and financial information, you can mitigate the chances of you becoming a victim of identity theft.
www.BestCreditQuote.com recommends utilizing the simple, yet effective methods presented below. These steps can be immediately utilized to minimize the risk of joining the ranks of the 10 million Americans that annually fall victim to identity theft.
1. Unless you need them, do not carry your social security card, passport, or extra credit cards in your purse or wallet when you go out.
2. When it comes time to order new checks, pick them up from the bank, as opposed to having them sent directly to your home. Identity thieves can steal the new checks and use them for their own nefarious activities.
3. Never volunteer any private information over the phone unless you have initiated the call, and the request seems valid in the context of that call.
4. Get a quality paper shredder and put it to use. Shred all receipts, pre-approved credit offers, and financial statements you no longer need.
5. Don’t hesitate to question your employer, or anyone else that has access to your personal information, about the methods they use to safeguard your information.
6. Check your credit reports from all three reporting bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) on a regular basis. be on the lookout for unusual or suspicious activity.
7. Guard your social security number like it was the Hope Diamond. Do not carry your social security card with you, and never have it (or your drivers license number) printed on your checks.
8. Closely keep tabs on your recurring billing cycles. If you notice a missing bill, it could be evidence that an identity thief has gotten hold of it, or changed your address.
9. Write down all of your account numbers and their corresponding telephone numbers and put them in a safe place. You will need them in case anything is lost or stolen.
10. Get creative with your passwords and PIN numbers. Don’t make it easy for an identity thief to gain access to your accounts.
This list is certainly not an all-inclusive guide to thwarting identity theft. But by following the simple, yet effective, tips offered here, you will be able to greatly reduce the chances of being victimized by identity theft. Many of them are simple, common sense measures. We think common sense is priceless.
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Related Information:
- 10 Ways That Thieves Make Identity Theft Happen See how identity theft happens so that you will be able to effectively guard against it....
- 5 ways To Protect Yourself From Internet Identity Theft Five ways in which you can protect yourself from identity theft online....
- Identity Theft Statistics – The Rising Tide They look at identity theft statistics and how quickly it is on the rise across America....
- The Most Effective Identity Theft Protection Is Common Sense We take the commonsense approach to identity theft protection with these valuable tips....
