As cases of identity theft continue to rise over the years, one can never be too careful. In this article, we'll be discussing the important steps that can help you minimize your risk of falling prey to ID theft. Most of these steps are simple and can easily be overlooked. However, keep in mind that identity thieves can be anywhere and these law violators are always on the alert for any chance to steal your precious information. Therefore, be responsible and do your share in fighting the crime of identity theft.
Don't provide information over the phone. Identity thieves still use the old "phone call" scheme to steal personal information. You may receive a phone call claiming to be from the IRS, from your credit card company or your mortgage lender asking you to confirm a few details regarding your account. Never give out any information in this manner.
Watch out for "phishing scams". Watch out for e-mails disguising to be from a legitimate company or government organization. Never provide any of your personal information particularly banking information via e-mail. Be wary about "false websites" that may look genuine or authentic. Don't fill up the online information sheet without carefully verifying the source.
Erase the history folder before leaving your desk. It's a good idea to delete the cache and cookies from the browser after using the computer particularly when accessing the internet from shops or public places. Don't forget to completely sign out of your e-mail account as well.
Use strong passwords. A strong password is one that contains both numbers and letters in it. Don't use passwords that can be guessed easily such as your birthday, name or personal information.
Shred important documents. Make it a habit to shred receipts, billing statements, and other important documents into tiny bits before throwing them in the trash. Cut old or expired credit cards into small parts before disposing them. It is also a good idea to throw the pieces in different trash cans.
Don't carry all your credit cards and IDs in your wallet. Bring only the credit card or the ID that you intend to use. Bringing all your cards in your wallet puts you at greater risk in case your wallet gets misplaced or stolen.
Ask an online card number from your credit card company. If you shop from the internet, ask your credit card issuer for an online number that is different from the number on your card.
Be alert when using the ATM. Make sure that no one is standing too close behind you or near you when using the ATM. Don't throw away your ATM receipts in the trash. Bring it home and shred it before disposing it.
Don't give out your SSN. Some merchants or companies ask their clients to provide their Social Security Number. Tell the company that you prefer to give them other identifying information in place of your SSN. If the company refuses, ask them to provide you with their Privacy Policy. Better yet, take your business somewhere else.
Copyright (c) 2010 Suzy Vanstrusen
Article Directory : http://www.articlecube.com
