Identity theft has become the crime of the 21st century. Criminals steal personal information from others and then “impersonate” their victim to secure mortgages and loans, open new credit or make purchases on existing accounts, or even access their victims’ bank accounts to steal their money.
Identity theft is difficult to control. First, it is difficult to know when it is happening. Second, because the thief is using a false identity, it is difficult to catch and prosecute.
The federal and state governments are doing everything they can to prevent identity theft by passing new legislation that identifies it as a prison-worthy crime and then trying to enforce the laws. Companies are developing and installing better security in their computer systems and are doing more to protect their customers’ personal information from hackers.
But, in today’s world at least, preventing identity theft falls heavily on us, the individual consumers. Here are some tips to help you protect yourself from this malicious and harmful crime:
Here are some ways to prevent identity theft:
1. Protect your mail with a padlock
Whether using your residential mailbox or renting a mailbox at the post office or postal service, make sure your mail is protected from the eyes and hands of greedy criminals. Theft of mail containing personal information is perhaps the biggest source of identity theft today.
2. Rent a box at your post office or postal service.
Especially if you are away from home frequently, you will enjoy greater personal safety if you keep your mail where others can see it when you are away. And you can inform the service who is authorized to open your mailbox if necessary. Keep the key with you and do not lend it to people you are not sure of. Use this service to publish your outgoing mail as well. Do not leave it attached to your residential mailbox where anyone can pick it up. Lastly, ask the post office to hold your mail while you are on long trips. It will be much safer at the post office than in your mailbox.
3. NEVER give out personal information over the phone.
Some identity thieves pose as representatives of a charity or telemarketing or survey company to trick you into trusting them enough to obtain your personal information. Don’t even give them your date of birth! Ask if you can call them back. Better yet, just hang up. You don’t owe these callers anything!
4. Have a private, unlisted phone number.
You’ll be more secure if the only people who know your number got it directly from you. And give your phone number to people you trust. Ask them not to share it with other people unless they ask you first. You have the right to your privacy. Also, do not use the number not listed on the Internet or printed forms. And if you get calls from telemarketers, tell them to “remove my name from their list.” By law, they cannot call you again for one year when you make this request.
5. Keep your PINs and passwords in a safe place
If you are not comfortable memorizing your PINs and passwords and think you should write them down. Make sure you keep your lists in a safe and locked place. Do not let anyone else know where you keep the information and do not lend the password to anyone. Also, keep your PINs in a different location than your plastic cards. A thief who can’t guess your PIN will end up locked out of the system. This will be a good warning sign for you and will protect your money! Also, if you do not intend to use a credit or debit card, do not carry it with you. This will not only protect you from being stolen, but will also help you stay within your personal budget.
6. Keep a photocopy of the contents of your wallet in a safe and locked place.
Make sure you have a record of the contents of your wallet or purse. That way, you can easily inform each company if your belongings are lost or stolen. In the event of a loss, immediately notify all companies involved and ask them to freeze your account.
7. Be smart when choosing your passwords
Avoid using common passwords based on your date of birth, an anniversary, your phone number, or your pet’s name. Mix letters with numbers and symbols. Avoid using the same password for all your accounts, but make sure each of your accounts is password protected. Finally, change your passwords at least twice a year.
8. Get regular credit reports
Request your free credit report once a year. You have the right to do so. And if you can afford the extra cost, it would be better to get regular updates throughout the year. The 3-6 month intervals will help you keep a close eye on your accounts and allow you to detect suspicious activity sooner. Call the three main agencies to get your report:
Equifax: PO Box 740241 Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
For emergencies, call 1-800-525-6285
Experian: P.O. Box 2002 Allen TX 75013
For emergencies, call 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
Trans Union: PO Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022
For emergencies, call 1-800-680-7289
9. Review your bills when you receive them and keep them in a safe, locked place.
Be sure to record all purchases and transactions on your monthly statements to ensure you are familiar with them. If you find a transaction that you did not authorize, act immediately. Notify the company of your suspicions and file a dispute with the supplier. Keep your old statements for at least a year in case a problem arises. And keep your personal documents locked up. This would include birth certificates and social security cards; mortgage, loan and credit card applications; and monthly bills, invoices and statements. These documents are rich in personal information that will be a gold mine for an identity thief. If you can, keep these documents in a safe where only you and another trusted person know the location and / or have a key.
10. Invest in a good paper shredder
The best way to protect personal information in documents that you don’t want to keep is to use a cross-cut shredder to shred them before throwing them away. This should include outdated credit receipts, copies of credit applications, insurance forms that you no longer need, medical bills and reports, old checks and bank statements, and expired credit cards that you do not intend to renew or use again. Do yourself a favor and immediately remove pre-approved credit applications.
11. Be careful with your credit cards
If possible, apply for a photo ID-type credit card. And when you use it, consider whether the clerk matches your signature with the card. If they don’t, you may want to avoid that store in the future. Don’t let a waitress or waiter take your credit card. Better to pay cash at restaurants than risk the scam of copying it while I have it.
12. Use common sense online
Use encrypted or secure servers when logging into financial accounts or shopping online. Don’t do business with websites you haven’t heard of before. Don’t open files sent to you by people you don’t know. In fact, don’t open emails from strangers. Delete them immediately. Install and maintain current antivirus, firewall, and adware software to block and remove malicious cookies and spyware before they do harm. Set your browser to refuse to open pop-ups without your approval. Be careful and distrust online. You cannot see the person or persons on the other side and you do not know what their intentions are. Limit your online purchases to well-known businesses and places where you already have an account.
