Identity thieves are on the lookout
for fresh credit reports even at the start of the year. To lessen the risk of
having your identity stolen the whole year ‘round, here are 10 tips to follow.
1.
Bring only what is necessary when out shopping
When going out shopping, lighten
your wallet or purse. Only bring along credit cards, a limited amount of money,
and a few identification documents - only those you really need. Remove items
that are unnecessary. Before leaving the house, make an inventory of the things
you plan to bring along and see if they are all intact when you return.
2. Don’t leave personal
information inside vehicles
Vehicles are major targets for thieves. If you are used to
leave credit cards, checkbooks, or other sensitive information in the glove
compartment or any other place inside your vehicle, better think twice. These
personal items are best left safe at home.
3. Guard your ATM PIN
number
If
you make frequent trips to the ATM station, be aware of anyone lurking around
or standing close to you - they might be looking over your shoulder and
memorizing your PIN number. In other cases, thieves install devices that read
ATM information without you knowing. If you see anything unusual about the machine,
report it to the bank and use another machine.
4. Don’t keep your
credit card out of sight
Keep
an eye on your credit card. Some thieves might pose as waiters and skim your
information, later making another credit card for themselves using your credit
status. Other clerks may also sell your information to thieves.
5. Shop online safely
Many
individuals have become victims of identity theft due to unsafe online
transactions. This holiday season, never use public computers or unsecure Wi-Fi
networks when making financial transactions. Criminals can easily steal
sensitive information from a computer infected with malware. Also, make sure
the website you are shopping on is the real thing. If you are in doubt, verify
by contacting the company. Websites with
“https” are more secure than those with only “http.”
6. Never leave
sensitive information in the mail
When sending cards via US Postal
mail, don’t include private information, as much as possible. But if it is
unpreventable, make sure to drop it in a secure mailbox. Leaving it in an
unlocked mailbox will likely lead to stolen identity.
7.
Beware of disreputable e-card sites
On the other hand, if you are to
send e-cards to friends and family, you should still do it with caution. Ensure
that you send and receive it from a reputable website, as some sites can load
harmful computer virus onto your computer. If you don’t recognize who the ecard
is from, delete it before opening.
8.
Secure your personal information at home
Unfortunately, some identity thieves
are those we welcome at our own homes. If you are expecting guests (even if you
aren’t), it’s best to keep all your valuable documents and personal items
inside a safe or locked cabinet or drawer. Likewise, establish a secure area in
the house for your guests’ personal belongings.
9.
Do not announce travel plans
Broadcasting your travel plans on
your social media profiles will only invite the thieves to steal your SSN,
credit card statements, sensitive information, and anything of value in your residence
while you’re gone. Instead of announcing it beforehand, share your adventures when you return.
10.
Check your debit/credit transactions
Ensure that no transactions were
done in your behalf without your knowledge. You can either check them online or
consider signing up for a credit monitoring service. This is to alert you
anytime there is activity to your credit report. Some identity theft plans,
like those from Legal Shield
cover both identity monitoring and restoration in case of theft.
Stay safe from identity thieves
this 2014!
Melissa
Page is a professional writer for over four years. She writes about business
and finance, among other things. Follow her musings on Word Baristas.
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