Idenity theft has become all too common and it is important you take the steps to safeguard yourself. Here are ways you can fight back and increase your identity theft protection. 

1) Have all your bills and financial statements sent to a PO Box. One of the most common ways a commits ID theft is to steal your mail. Most of the time that will be right from your own mailbox. When you have a PO Box, you are safe from the mail thiefs.

2) Mail all your letters that contain checks and personal information from the post office. Just like in the first example, thieves take your mail that is waiting for the postman too. If this mail has your checks or account numbers in it, then you are at risk.  

3) Never put your social security number or any other account numbers on your checks. This is a basic idenity theft protection step that everyone should not do.   

4) Never give out your social security number unless you absolutely have to. When an institution asks for it, always ask them whether they have to have it. Many times they will admit that the SSN is not necessary but just a formality. Also, don’t carry your SSN with you. Memorize it and then lock the card up.

5) Shred all documents that have personal account information on it. ID thieves commonly look for this type of information in the trash. 

6) Never let your credit card or other account cards out of your site. It has become more common for employees of stores and restaurants to make copies of cards in the back room while they are “charging” your card.  

7) Don’t give personal account information to callers on the telephone or to anyone online. ID theives are becoming increasingly tricky with the elaborate and convincing stories they tell to get you to give them your numbers.  

8 – Likewise, the fake email scam that says your account has been disabled and to please sign in and give your password is a very common type of email nowadays. Be very careful of this type of email.