Identity Theft Protection

Before you even know it, a thief can take your personal information and use it to rack up huge bills and open new accounts. They can even use that person’s name in relation to a crime. It is very important that you do all you can to protect your personal information. Make sure you don’t respond to phishing e-mails, always shred personal documents, keep a close eye on your financial transactions, use security methods for your computer, and request for pre approved credit card offers to stop.

It should be a priority for everyone to protect their social security number. It is not a good idea to carry it in your purse or wallet. Many scam artists pretend to be a bank, store, or government official and ask for personal information over the phone, the mail, or even e-mail. Never give out your personal information under such circumstances. Identity theft protection is very important for everyone to take part in.

Protecting your Personal Information

Make sure you shred any document that has your name or other personal information associated with it. Don’t assume that just tearing them up before placing them in the trash is good enough. California and many other states are pursing identity theft protection as they have laws in place that require a financial entity to obtain written permission before they can run a credit report. The customer has the right to reserve who can have access to this information.

Protecting your personal information on your computer is very important as well is a very important part of identity theft protection. You need to use a different password for each site. Don’t use ones that are easy to guess. Your system should be complete with spyware, virus protection, and a firewall. Make sure you accept all updates for these programs to keep them current. These items offer excellent identity theft protection for your computer only if you accept the updates as they are available.

Open your credit card bills and statements as soon as you get them. Take the time to look over each transaction. If you find anything out of the ordinary contact your credit card company immediately. If you don’t receive a bill on time contact the company as well. This could be an indicator that someone has submitted an address change so you won’t see the charges they have made.

Many thieves look for those pre approved credit card offers we get in the mail. It is a good idea to have your name removed from such marketing lists. The more action you take to prevent identity theft, the less likely you will become a victim. Identity theft protection is something that everyone needs to take seriously.

One way you can protect your identity is  -

In The News...

Ledger - KISSIMMEE - Good Samaritan Village has kicked off its inaugural series of education programs for seniors with a seminar on identity theft and fraud - two crimes that often target the elderly. Older people are very trusting, Carlos Morales, guest ...

News-Democrat - A day after a stolen identity scheme was publicly announced, the governors and attorney generals offices exchanged blame about an attempt to arrest a former state employee at a state office. A federal indictment handed down May 31 - but not ...

US News and World Report - As chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, Deborah Platt Majoras is charged with protecting consumers from unfair, deceptive, and illegal business practices. Since her appointment in 2004, she has focused on identity-theft prevention through ...

TMCnet - As credit card fraud has become one of the most common forms of identity theft today, theres no wonder a number of consumers are demanding enhanced security and increased paying options. In the restaurant business, where credit cards are regularly ...

Forbes - A federal indictment accuses seven people - including two former state employees - of using the identities of nursing-home residents and others in a scheme to help prison inmates make phone calls. The seven are accused of using Social Security ...