Idenity Theft - Basic Steps To Protect Yourself

Idenity theft is a very serious issue that needs to be tackled before it happens. You can’t just assume that it won’t happen to you. It’s just like locking your house during the day: it is unlikely that you will be robbed but you need to lock your house anyway to prevent it from happening.You need to do everything you can to give yourself the best identity thef protection. Even if you do these things it does not guarantee that you will be safe but at least you have given yourself the best chance of not becoming a victim. Listed below are some basic things you should do to to protect yourself from identity theft:

NEVER give out your Social Security number unless it is absolutely necessary. You will be asked for it quite often but you usually don’t have to give it. Ask them if they really need your SSN and be firm. Usually they will back off.

SHRED all unwanted credit card offers. You probably get a ton of these in the mail and they all have your name and address printed on them. If an identy theif gets his hands on this application he can make your life rough. You need to shred or rip these applications into a million pieces. On a side note: if you don’t want to get these in the mail, you can opt out by calling (888) 5OPTOUT (567-8688). This will remove your name for several years from mailing and telemarketing lists that come from TransUnion, Equifax, Experian, and INNOVIS. When you call this number they will also ask you for your SSN number. Just say “NO” twice and they will move on.

ONLY put your name and address on your checks. Any more information is unnecessary and will only be used to hurt you if your check gets in the wrong hands.

REVIEW your credit report every year.You need to do this to be sure that all activity is of your doing. An idenity thief will have a credit card issued to another address of his choosing and you will never know about it until it is too late. This is one of the advantages to a service like LifeLock. They will automatically check your credit history several times a year so that you don’t have to think about it.

REVIEW your credit card and banking statements religiously every month. You need to do this to make sure you recognize all the charges. Also, you need to make sure you get a statement every month as an idenity theft will change your address so that they go unnoticed longer.