Don't let yourself become another victim of identity theft. It is always easier to prevent the theft of your identity than it is to have to clear your name and credit record after it happens. It can take a lot of your time and even some of your own money to clear your name if you are a victim.
Here are some helpful hints to help avoid theft of your ID.
Watch out for shoulder-surfers. Thieves will stand close enough to see PIN numbers punched in by users at ATMs and phone booths. Whenever others are around, always use your hand to hide your number from them. 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 have all your passwords and account numbers written out and shoved in your wallet or purse? If so, a thief could easily open accounts in your name. 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.
Do not divulge personal details on the telephone. 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.
When it comes time to enter any personal information during online shopping, make sure you see https in the URL and a security seal. Noticing these things helps you identify a counterfeit website, so that you don't get phished or disclose your identity in the wrong place.
Shred everything. 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. Consider switching to paperless billing for your bank, credit card and other bills. 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.
Protect your data with strong passwords that use a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols, and keep a close eye on any laptops, cell phones and PDAs as these are hot targets for thieves.
Here are some helpful hints to help avoid theft of your ID.
Watch out for shoulder-surfers. Thieves will stand close enough to see PIN numbers punched in by users at ATMs and phone booths. Whenever others are around, always use your hand to hide your number from them. 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 have all your passwords and account numbers written out and shoved in your wallet or purse? If so, a thief could easily open accounts in your name. 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.
Do not divulge personal details on the telephone. 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.
When it comes time to enter any personal information during online shopping, make sure you see https in the URL and a security seal. Noticing these things helps you identify a counterfeit website, so that you don't get phished or disclose your identity in the wrong place.
Shred everything. 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. Consider switching to paperless billing for your bank, credit card and other bills. 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.
Protect your data with strong passwords that use a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols, and keep a close eye on any laptops, cell phones and PDAs as these are hot targets for thieves.
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