17 Preventive Identity Theft Solution Commandments

1. Keep your personal data secure and not readily available for just anyone to access. This includes your Social Security Number, Credit Card Account Number, Drivers License Number, Bank Account Number, etc.

2. Never give out details such as your birth date and identification or account numbers to people who call you over phone and ask for it. If you must, offer to call them back. But verify first if their contact number is legitimate before resuming contact.

3. Make sure that nobody overhears you giving out personal data over the phone.

4. Do not agree to give personal details through e-mailunless you are the one who initiated contact and you know the parties receiving information are who they say they are.

5. Contact the credit card company or bank to directly update your information. Remember, such institutions are not likely to ask for an information update via e-mail!

6. Tear up into small pieces documents that contain your personal data before disposing of them. This includes credit card bills, bank account statements, checks, etc.

7. Have current records of all your cards handy. Know whom to contact in case they are stolen. If possible, make copies of all your credit cards.

8. Keep only the credit card youll need for the day or the week in your wallet. Keep the rest (especially hardly used ones) hidden or locked up in a safe place.

9. Store checkbooks, your social security card, and bank documents in a secure place.

10. Pick up new checkbooks from the bank. Do not have them sent to you by post.

11. Keep a file of your credit card receipts and check them against your monthly statement. Ensure that all purchases charged to you are truly yours. When you make a purchase, make sure that your credit card is returned to you.

12. Make sure that no one sees you punch in your PIN while youre at an ATM machine or making a store purchase.

13. Do not use passwords or PINs that come from your birth date or phone numbers. Memorize your passwords and PINs. Never write them down.

14. When making an online purchase, make sure that the website is safe, reputable, and really the site you intend to make your purchase from.

15. Monitor your annual credit report. Ask any of the three major credit agencies for a free report.

16. Register at any credit watch office so they can inform you of suspicious changes in your credit report.

17. Finally, consider getting an identity theft insurance policy.

Identity thieves will use your personal information to buy items, obtain a new credit card, get a loan, or even commit a crime in your name. Dont let them get away with it. Better yet, dont even give them the chance by heeding these identity theft solutions!