7 Ways to Prevent Identity Theft

Destroy all documents that contain personal information. Thieves still gather personal information used identity theft from the trash so be sure to shred everything you throw away that contains any personal information about you. This includes credit card statements, bank statements, etc.

Guard your mail box and retrieve your received mail as soon as possible. Personal documents can be taken from your mail box by thieves. Consider a PO Box or, for added security, a lockable mail box. Also, never mail bills or letters containing personal checks from your home, as they can be stolen easily.

Guard your social security number, and keep your card in a permanent place. Do not carry your social security card on it, and do not use this number on any papers that can be easily stolen.

Keeping your card in a secure place like a lock box is important as well; many times information like that is stolen form your home and later used for identity theft by burglars.

Don't leave receipts lying around. Never leave receipts behind at the bank, ATM or store. If you used a card to pay for something take the receipt with you as it contains information that can potentially be used for identity theft.

Never let your credit card out of your site. It is becoming increasingly common for employees of stores and restaurants to make copies of cards while they are away form their owners. If you can't keep track of your card pay with cash or check, or at restaurants pay the bill yourself instead of giving your car an employee.

Don't give personal information out to callers. Even if a call from your bank of financial institution seems legitimate, don't give them information. Find out the reason for the call and what company they represent and then call them back on a number you know is legitimate to give them information.

Ask to be removed from junk mail lists. The inconvenience of receiving hundreds of junk mail offers will be removed, and you will be saved the potential problem of having credit card offers stolen from your mail box.

Article Source: http://www.thearticlenet.com

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