The fastest growing crime of greratest risk in recent years that society has had to face is Identity theft. You are at risk from identity theft whatever your age – the youngest child to the oldest adult. Identity theft can be reduced by following simple steps.Below are some suggestions that to limit the risk of identity theft:Any documents containing personal information should be SHREDDED before throwing them away. This includes vendor statements, credit card offers, loan offers, bills, bank statements, copies of contracts or any other item with personal information. Identity thieves have no problem dumpster diving but are shy of legitimate work. Ask the post office to hold your mail when you are going to be away from home for extended periods. Your mail box can be rifled by identity thieves. Memorize pin numbers and passwords. Do not write your pin number on your ATM or credit card. If you find you have lost your ATM or credit cards or think they might have been stolen, report this immediately. Avoid phishing schemes. Do not reply to requests for personal information, pin numbers, social security numbers, account numbers,or passwords contained in emails. Legitimate businesses would not use email for the exchange of personal information. Totally disregard unsolicited phone calls requesting pin numbers, social security numbers, bank account numbers, passwords or personal information of any sort.Cancel and destroy old or unused credit cards. Make sure your social security card is in a secure place. Do not carry it in your wallet with your driver’s license. Do not have your social security number or driver’s license number imprinted on your checks. Bank Statements and vendor statements should be checked monthly. Always reconcile your Bank statement on a monthly basis. Carry out a check on your credit report annually. A free credit report annually is everybody’s entitlement. Report any errors or suspicious activity found on your report to the credit bureaus. If you see any suspicious characters going through trash cans or mail boxes in your neighbourhood, contact the Police immediately. If you have the misfortune to become a victim of identity theft, file a police report immediately. Peoples’ lives are devastated by identity theft. If each individual works diligently to protect their personal information this would be the best defense against this criminality. Following these suggestions could help limit exposure to identify theft.
The Author runs a Pursehook Company from her home in Spain selling Purse Hooks and Purse Accessories
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