Protect Your Good Name...
And Your Good Credit
Don’t Be A Victim Of Identity Theft!
By Larry Scheider
Identity theft! A thief steals your wallet, or finds credit card receipts in your garbage, or “hijacks” your Social Security number, and suddenly he racks up thousands of dollars in charges to your name without your knowledge. It’s one of the fastest growing crimes in America. But are you actively taking steps to protect yourself from identity theft?
According to the Secret Service, losses to institutions and consumers from identity theft total more than ¾ of a billion dollars annually. And it claims nearly a million new victims each year. Don’t be one of them! Here are some ways you can minimize your risk:
Don’t let anyone watch over your shoulder when you enter your PIN number at your ATM. If someone stands too close, ask him to step back, or if you’re not comfortable with the situation, simply leave and use another ATM.
Never give private information over the phone, such as bank account or credit card numbers, unless you’ve placed the call and know it’s a reputable business.
Protect your Social Security number. Memorize your number and leave the card at home in a safe place. Give out your SSN only when required. Don’t use it for your Driver’s License number and don’t print it on your checks!
Don’t leave your wallet or purse behind. Take caution to prevent them from being stolen.
Photocopy your credit cards, front and back, and keep the copies in a safe place. Don’t carry more credit cards than necessary. Consider keeping only a copy of your vehicle registration in your car with the address blacked out. These days, the police understand.
Properly dispose of credit card receipts, bank statements, loan applications, etc. Invest in a crosscut shredder!
Don’t post personal information, such as your birth date, mother’s maiden name, or genealogical information, on the Internet. Never give this information to a stranger who calls you on the phone claiming to be from your bank or some utility, etc. Think first!
Check your bank and credit card statements regularly and carefully, item by item.
Review your credit report at least once a year.
Educate yourself! The best defense against scams and Internet and telemarketer fraud is to learn how these people operate, and to be prepared to say “no.” Learn more about identity theft at the Federal Trade Commission’s Web site at www.consumer.gov/idtheft or at this Web site, actually created by an identity theft victim: www.identitytheft.org
A recent cartoon depicted a patient on a psychiatrist’s couch, telling the analyst, “Just when I was figuring out who I was, someone stole my identity...!” Funny as that cartoon may be, identity theft is no laughing matter if it happens to you. Unfortunately, it can’t be totally prevented, but by taking extra care in how you handle personal information in your daily transactions, the risks can be minimized. It can be discouraged.
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