GUARDING YOURSELF AGAINST IDENTITY THEFT
Identity theft does not happen to everyone, but if it occurs, the effects can be quite serious. Your credit record may sustain severe damage. People may gain employment or purchase a residence under your name. On top of that, the prevalence of online commerce and purchase via credit card gives criminals more opportunities to steal your identity. Here are some ways to protect yourself.
Cover your Paper Trail
Be sure to destroy or shred documents containing your financial or social security information instead of throwing them away intact. Identity thieves often work by picking through people’s trash. Also, keep your critical documents in a secure place, especially if you must keep them in your workplace or shared residence.
Old-fashioned pick-pocketing is another way your identity might get stolen. Do not carry important documents like your Social Security card with you everywhere. Keep them somewhere safe, and only bring them if you need them.
Watch Your Card
Some unscrupulous businesspeople attach special devices to their credit card scanners that allow them access to all your account information. This is called skimming. If you are not quite sure of the establishment, try to deal with them via cash or checks.
Surf Safely
Use hard-to-guess passwords whenever you have to give away critical information online. Also, be watchful against advertisements and surveys from spurious organizations.
Monitor Your Account
Scan your credit card report carefully, or at least review it every three months to make sure your identity has not been stolen. If you have not been able to prevent identity theft, swift discovery of the offense is the next-best thing. However, you should still review your records every now and then, even after you report the offense. Patient identity thieves will hold on to your information for later use.
In short, be aware that identity thieves use both high-tech and old-fashioned methods to get your information for their purposes. Despite widespread anxiety over the ways your identity can get stolen online, remember that picking through your trash or stealing your credit card is also an effective way for an identity thief to get your information.
