Take precautions to prevent the theft of your identity. Protecting yourself against identity theft is always easier than having to clear your name and credit record after the fact. If you are a victim, it can take a lot of your time and even some of your own money to clear your name.
Here are some helpful hints to help avoid theft of your ID.
Shoulder-surfers are to be watched for. At ATMs and phone booths, thieves will stand close enough to see PIN numbers punched in by users. Always use your hand to cover or shield your number from others. Without you even noticing, it's really easy to turn on an iPhone and film your PIN in high definition.
Thieves are using technology in creative ways so they can obtain your personal details, such as shoulder surfing to snap a picture of your account, skimming your credit card at the checkout, and phishing for your identity via websites, email, phone calls or even texting.
Do you keep a piece of paper shoved into your wallet or purse with all your passwords and account numbers written out on it? You could make it really easy for a thief to open accounts in your name if you do. How would you know if a thief got a hold of your personal information? One way is to keep a close eye on your credit report and watch for changes in your score.
When on the telephone, do not give out personal information. Tell anyone who calls asking for your Social Security, credit card, or bank account numbers that you don't give that information over the phone and that they can contact you by mail.
Don't get hooked by "phishing." Scammers who are trying to obtain personal details, including credit cards, bank accounts, Social Security numbers, and other data send out spam emails, in the hopes you will give out these vital facts. Be wary of unexpected emails that ask you to verify or update personal details.
Online shopping provides many conveniences, but be sure to look for a security seal and https in the URL when it comes time to enter any personal information. This quick check can help stop you from being phished and disclosing your identity on a counterfeit website.
Use a shredder for all documents. Anything with your address, name, credit card information, or bank account numbers should be shredded or torn before it goes in the garbage or recycling. Unused credit card offers should also be torn up. Every day, make sure you get your mail. You might consider contacting your bank, credit card provider and other companies that send you bills to switch to paperless billing. If you're planning to be away from home and have no one that can pick up your mail for you, request a vacation hold at your local post office.
Laptops, cell phones and PDAs are hot targets for thieves, so make sure you keep close watch on these items and use strong passwords with a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols to protect your data.
Here are some helpful hints to help avoid theft of your ID.
Shoulder-surfers are to be watched for. At ATMs and phone booths, thieves will stand close enough to see PIN numbers punched in by users. Always use your hand to cover or shield your number from others. Without you even noticing, it's really easy to turn on an iPhone and film your PIN in high definition.
Thieves are using technology in creative ways so they can obtain your personal details, such as shoulder surfing to snap a picture of your account, skimming your credit card at the checkout, and phishing for your identity via websites, email, phone calls or even texting.
Do you keep a piece of paper shoved into your wallet or purse with all your passwords and account numbers written out on it? You could make it really easy for a thief to open accounts in your name if you do. How would you know if a thief got a hold of your personal information? One way is to keep a close eye on your credit report and watch for changes in your score.
When on the telephone, do not give out personal information. Tell anyone who calls asking for your Social Security, credit card, or bank account numbers that you don't give that information over the phone and that they can contact you by mail.
Don't get hooked by "phishing." Scammers who are trying to obtain personal details, including credit cards, bank accounts, Social Security numbers, and other data send out spam emails, in the hopes you will give out these vital facts. Be wary of unexpected emails that ask you to verify or update personal details.
Online shopping provides many conveniences, but be sure to look for a security seal and https in the URL when it comes time to enter any personal information. This quick check can help stop you from being phished and disclosing your identity on a counterfeit website.
Use a shredder for all documents. Anything with your address, name, credit card information, or bank account numbers should be shredded or torn before it goes in the garbage or recycling. Unused credit card offers should also be torn up. Every day, make sure you get your mail. You might consider contacting your bank, credit card provider and other companies that send you bills to switch to paperless billing. If you're planning to be away from home and have no one that can pick up your mail for you, request a vacation hold at your local post office.
Laptops, cell phones and PDAs are hot targets for thieves, so make sure you keep close watch on these items and use strong passwords with a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols to protect your data.
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