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Ways To Prevent Identity TheftEasy Ways To Prevent Identity Theft And Protect Your Credit RatingYou need effective ways to prevent identity theft to survive in today's changing world. Just how does an ID thief obtain your personal information? It's not as difficult as you might think. We use our personal information almost every day, and there are many ways it can be compromised. Here are several common ones with my advice on how to avoid identity theft. Personal Belongings TheftThieves can obtain valuable personal data through the theft of purses, wallets, PDAs, laptops, and even household mail.AdviceThe three main items of personal ID thieves want to get hold of are your passport, birth certificate, and social security number (or social insurance number in Canada). These three documents should NEVER be carried with you unless you absolutely need them all the same day. Leave them safely at home.NEVER carry more information in your wallet or purse than you really need. (This is one of the most important ways to prevent identity theft yet most people never follow it.) Keep your purse or wallet hid safely on your person or held securely in your hand and never set it on a store counter for even a moment. And never leave your wallet in your car for thieves to break in and steal. Never leave your PDA and laptop unattended in a public place like a library or restaurant. Thieves love to gain access to the private information they often contain. Never leave your household mail sitting in your mail box longer than necessary. If you plan to be away from home for more than a day, make arrangements for your mail to be picked up by a trustworthy neighbor, held at the post office, or forwarded to another location. If your mail should suddenly stop arriving, check at the local post office to make sure your mail has not been redirected elsewhere without your knowledge. Personal Data CollectionFraud artists collect personal information using phony contest entry forms and surveys. For instance, fraudulent travel scams will phone and request identity and credit card information on the pretense of offering the contest winner a free weekend at a popular ski resort.AdviceBe cautious when filling out contest entry forms or surveys from companies or organizations unknown to you. The information you provide could result in a phone call from an ID thief requesting additional information.Dumpster DivingYour curbside garbage bags and trash can offer thieves bank statements, credit card statements, personalized credit card offers, cancelled checks, expired driver's licenses, and so on. Dumpsters outside businesses are also targeted as thieves hope to find discarded customer invoices and other records.AdviceNEVER toss personal information in the trash. Cut up expired plastic cards with kitchen shears. Purchase an affordable paper shredder and shred ALL discarded papers that bear your name and/or personal information. ID thieves will never obtain usable information when you use practical ways to prevent identity theft and deny them the opportunity.Telephone ScamsThe thief will contact you and pose as a bank employee, store employee, or even a police officer to try to get you to reveal your personal information.AdviceNEVER give out personal information over the telephone or at your door if you didn't originate the call or visit yourself.If you do receive an out-of-the-blue call requesting personal information, ask for the person's name and job title, then hang up, locate the company's real number in the telephone book, and dial the company yourself to report the call and verify its legitimacy. It's important that you locate the company's telephone number in the phone book yourself and never trust a number provided by a possible scammer. Shoulder Surfing
In its simplest form, a thief will look over your shoulder while you enter your debit card PIN number, then distract you while he or she replaces your card with another.Or, fake ATM devices or wireless pinhole cameras can be installed to defraud the unsuspecting debit card user. For credit cards, a nearby thief can simply memorize your credit card number as your card lies momentarily on a store counter or secretly use a carefully positioned cell phone camera to photograph it. Thieves will look over your shoulder while you unsuspectingly type information into your laptop in a library, office, or classroom. If passwords are observed, the theft of the computer can yield much personal information. AdviceBe aware of your surroundings. When entering PIN numbers or any private data, always shield the data entry with your hand and body so it cannot be seen by anybody standing nearby. Be conscious of ATMs that appear suspicious and be on the lookout for nearby hidden cameras.Never leave your debit or credit cards lying in plain view of other people or hidden cameras. Never permit a store or restaurant employee to take your credit card anywhere out of your sight. Always be conscious of how to prevent identity theft and protect yourself. SkimmingA sophisticated electronic device can be used to extract your credit or debit card information, then the data can be used to manufacture fraudulent credit cards later.AdviceAlways be observant. It's one of the best ways to prevent identity theft in such cases. If the ATM you are using appears to be altered or unusual in any way, inform the management immediately, and select another terminal.Check WashingIn this fast-growing method of identity theft commonly called check washing (or cheque washing), thieves use everyday household chemicals to erase the ink from stolen checks and documents so they can then alter them to their advantage. Business owners, especially, need to be aware of this scam.AdviceA simple way to protect against check washing, is to use a pen with indelible ink to sign all your checks and documents. Security experts recommend using the "uni-ball 207" gel pen, as it uses a special water-resistant ink that's absorbed into the fibers of the paper making it impossible to "wash" out. The uni-ball 207 can be purchased at most office supply stores in a variety of ink colors.Know Ways To Prevent Identity TheftBy being aware of the common ways that ID thieves can steal your identity, you can take better care to protect yourself. More information on how to avoid identity theft can be found in the Scams/Fraud section of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) website.Remember, when it comes to protecting your personal information, you cannot be too careful. Be vigilant and use these proven ways to prevent identity theft. Here's some additional information that's helpful: TOP of Ways To Prevent Identity Theft RETURN to Identity Theft Facts HOME to Help With Debt |
