12 Ways to Preventing Identity Theft

Preventing identity theft should be a concern for anyone who uses the Internet, owns a credit card, has a bank account, or has a social security number. That is to say, preventing identity theft should be a concern for anyone who lives in 21st century America.

Identity theft is an increasingly common crime, but its also preventable! Following are some practical ways of preventing identity theft.

1. Never give personal details over the phone.

A sure way of preventing identity theft from happening to you is to be skeptical about all phone calls that require you to give credit card details or similar data over the phone, since some thieves pose as representative of a charitable institution, or telemarketers of an online store or TV shopping network.

2. Get an unlisted phone number.

Aside from not being bothered by telemarketers who offer you things you dont need, having an unlisted phone number is also a good way of preventing identity theft. This way, you will get calls only from people who got the number from you.

3. Lock your mailbox.

Preventing identity theft is as easy as buying a lock for your mailbox. A thief can steal your identity is by stealing your mail, getting your personal data, then using it to make fraudulent transactions that can leave you holding the bag.

4. Rent a post office box.

If you do not have a mailbox at home or are usually away on trips, renting a P.O. Box at your local post office is a good way of preventing identity theft. You can also use your box to deposit outgoing mail as an additional way of preventing identity theft. If you plan to go on a trip for more than two days, request a vacation hold.

5. Store your PINs in a safe place.

If you really must write down your PINs, hiding your list in a safe place, different from where you store your ATM and credit cards, is a common-sense way of preventing identity theft.

6. Secure important documents.

If thieves break into your home, dont help them make the damage worse by leaving your important documents where they can be easilyfound. Preventing identity theft may mean using a concealed, tamper-proof safe or a safety deposit box at your bank.

7. Use a good paper shredder.

Remember that preventing identity theft means not giving thieves access to your checks and bank statements, charge receipts, expired charge cards, etc. A great way of preventing identity theft, therefore, is to use a powerful (preferably, crosscut) paper shredder on your documents before disposing of them.

8. Photocopy the contents of your wallet.

Preventing identity theft can sometimes hinge on how fast you report the theft of your wallet. So, its a good idea to photocopy all contents (both sides) of your wallet so you can report the theft to the proper authorities as soon as possible.

9. Secure your credit cards.

Preventing identity theft may mean not signing the back of your credit card and obtaining the service that digitally places your photo on, or laminates it onto, your credit card. You may also prefer not to use your credit card at certain places, such as restaurants, where you have to let it out of your sight.

10. Secure your online activity.

Using encrypted or secure servers whenever you log on to the Internet is a good way of preventing identity theft. Do not transact business with unknown websites and do not open files sent to you by strangers. Also, use firewalls and keep your virus database regularly updated.

11. Choose your passwords carefully.

Using a password that is a combination of letters and numbers that are not associated with anything in your personal data is an excellent way of preventing identity theft, since hackers have sophisticated ways of determining passwords.

12. Get a monthly credit report.

Finally, preventing identity theft is as easy as getting a free monthly credit report. You never know when a strange purchase may pop up.

Contacting the following major bureaus to get your report is a great way of preventing identity theft:

* Equifax: P.O. Box 740241 Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
Fraud Alerts: 800-525-6285

* Experian: P.O. Box 2002 Allen TX 75013
Fraud Alerts: 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)

* Trans Union: P.O. Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022
Fraud Alerts: 800-680-7289