How to Avoid Identity Theft
Identity theft is the unapproved use of your personal information. It can cost you money, destroy your credit and ruin your good name!
Here are ways to help avoid it!
Instructions
Step 1
Make sure you shred or cut up all paperwork with your personal information on it before you throw it away. Use a dark marker and/or a pen to black out the file numbers and account numbers even before you cut it up. There are people out there who are experts at putting jigsaw puzzles together. When cutting up a credit card , cut through the numbers a few times and don't put all the pieces in one trash bin! Just breaking or cutting a credit card in half is not enough!
Step 2
Don't give your personal information out over the phone, in an email or over the net unless you absolutely know who you are talking to. Ask for hard copy information to be sent to you if it is a legal & binding agreement - everything should be in writing.
Step 3
Keep personal information in a safe place, especially if you have roommates, have a lot of company coming and going, are having work done inside your house, or have regular services done within your home such as housecleaning, etc. Get a lockable file cabinet or desk - or rent a safe deposit box.
Step 4
Don't use passwords that anyone could guess like birthdays, pets' names, family names or favorite things. If everyone knows you plaster your space with hearts - well, you get it........
Step 5
Do Not click on links in emails from people you don't know or do not recognize. Don't fill out forms that the links open up to either, if you couldn't resist clicking the link. Email spoofing is pretty easy to do for some people, too, so don't believe it when you get an email from the President of the United States unless you do business with him regularly. In other words, if someone sends you an email and you are shocked to learn you've won 10 million dollars if you click HERE - don't - because you haven't!
Step 6
Don't use your Social Security number as an ID! Memorize your number and do leave home WITHOUT your card. Do not write your number on your personal checks and do not have your phone number printed on your checks unless it is a business number. You can always write your phone number on your check if you have to but that pimply checkout clerk doesn't need to be able to call at 3am if they are so inclined.
Step 7
Protect your computer with firewalls, anti-spy ware, and anti-virus programs and keep them updated automatically if possible. Having more than one anti-virus program is a plus because sometimes, one does not catch what another one might. Even if you have only one computer, running it through a router is a great idea, especially if you have DSL. You can find great free programs on the Duelin' Deals Free Stuff page.
Tips & Warnings
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Familiarize yourself with scams and cons that are currently floating around on the net.... start with the link below but do a Google for the newest scams.
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The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act was issued in 2003 by The Federal Trade Commission that states "any person who maintains or otherwise possesses consumer information for a business purpose" must destroy old consumer information, either in paper or electronic form. In November 2004, the FTC added the FACTA Disposal Rule to enforce the protection and disposal of sensitive consumer data. All businesses MUST burn, pulverize or shred paper documents and completely erase or destroy all electronic media, or hire a company qualified to do it for them. Guess it's time to buy a shredder! (Or hire whoever does the kids' home work in all the time!)
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The entire preceding article is full of warnings - specifically, be careful who you deal with on the net! Brenda in Florida could be Bruno from Hell in reality
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