Identity Theft Protection

Back in the good old days before the Internet and electronic everything, stealing someone’s identity was a very cloak and dagger, Sherlock Holmes sort of affair.  These days however, it is a commonplace problem.  If you’re not sure what identity theft is, here is basic definition.  Identity theft is when someone, (usually someone unknown to you but not necessarily) takes your personal information and uses it to pretend to be you.  They may go shopping as you, fill out a credit card application or do even more nefarious things, like engage in all kinds of criminal activities, masquerading as you.  Because they have access to all your personal information combating identity theft after the fact can be a tedious and horribly frustrating enterprise.  The best way to fight it is to be proactive and protect your self before the crime.

Here is a quick and handy list of several things you can do to avoid becoming the next identity theft victim.

1.  Get a shredder and use it every day.  They are really inexpensive to buy and will completely eliminate the dumpster diver from stealing your personal information.  You know all those offers you get in the mail from credit card companies and all those things?  Any documents that you no longer need, old checks, tax info, your old mortgage papers…Shred’em.  It’s fun.

2.  When surfing the Internet for goods and services never ever give out your personal information to anyone you do not know.  Never give your credit card number to anyone except a business you are conducting transactions with.  If you get emails from someone you don’t know, ditto for them too.  N’er do wells who try to get you to hand over your personal info through emails and the like are doing what is called, Phishing.  It’s bad, very bad.  Scammers are getting more and more smooth in their delivery, so check everything out before you hand over your life.  Or, else?  You may be very sorry and poorer later.

3.  Don’t be a fool with your social security number.  You may not know this, but in fact the social security number was never intended to be used as the one stop shop of personal identity.  Now however, everyone wants it for everything you do.  That being said, take these precautions: don’t tote your card about with you in your wallet or purse.  Don’t print it on your checks or put it on your driver’s license.  If your health insurance company wants to use it you can ask them for another number instead.  Keep documents that have your number on them in a secure place.  A safe deposit box at the bank isn’t worst idea in the world.  And then you can get that James Bond feel when you go into the little room in the bank.  Who ever thought security could be so thrilling?

4.  Did you know that you have the right to ask any credit card companies or banks you do business with to limit how they share your information?  It’s true.  Many companies offer opt out plans but you have to tell tem what you want or you may become fair game.

5.  Make your computer a safe place to work and play.  Passwords are the bugaboo of many people.  None-the-less, they should not be something that a child of three could guess if they knew you even just a little bit.  The strongest passwords are at least eight characters long and are a combination of letters, numbers and symbols.  Use virus protection, firewalls and spyware protection and set your security settings for something better than, “Come On in! The water’s fine!”  If you don’t recognize something, Don’t Click!

6.  Just say NO! YOU can opt out of getting all those pre-approved offers for credit cards and insurance and ten thousand other things you won’t need, ever.  Call this number 888. 567. 8688 or got to this url: https://www.optoutprescreen.com.  You can choose to opt in or out of receiving credit card offers and more and best of all you can choose to opt out for five years or forever!  What more could you want?

7.  Review your bank statements and credit cards invoices on a regular basis.  Aside from theft, you need to be mindful of common everyday credit card balance and checking account errors that can happen.  After all, behind all those computers are people like you earning a living and they can make mistakes from time to time.  If you find an error follow up immediately and make sure it gets corrected.  You can check your credit card online or your bank account statements online for faster and more thorough updates.

8.  Don’t take candy from strangers!  If you get requests via any media or through personal interaction and they feel right to you, trust your instincts and hold back.  Ask questions.  If you feel the information being requested in not appropriate to the transaction, say no thanks and walk away.

9.  Check your credit reports out.  Once a year everyone is entitled to one free credit report from the major bureaus.  You can ask for them one a time or all together.  Again, if you find anything that doesn’t match reality, as you know it, don’t hesitate but get on the phone with any the appropriate firms.  As always, follow any phone conversations with something in writing.

10.  And, last but not least, some terrifically handy link care of the government, for more info about how to access your credit report fro free: https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp