Author : Dee Marie
Identity theft has become an all too common problem in the last couple of years, and more than ever before people need information in regard to preventing identity theft.It's scary to think that someone can steal your private personal and financial information without you having any idea that it's happened—until you find out that you're greatly in debt or wanted for a crime. Fortunately, there are some simple, basic steps that you can take to prevent identity theft and protect yourself.1. Shh! This first rule is extremely simple, be quiet. Hold your tongue whenever anyone asks you for your social security number or other information over the telephone or online unless you are the one initiating contact and know for certain who you are talking to.2. Watch your back. It's easy to let your guard down when using a debit card at an ATM or making a purchase in a department store. However, it is simple for someone to look over your shoulder and get your account and PIN numbers.3. Shred, shred, shred. Whenever you are throwing out old bank statements, credit card receipts, canceled checks, pre-approved credit card offers, or any item for that matter that has your financial information on it, use a shredder or tear them into tiny pieces. It's amazing how many people will go through people's trash or even make trips to the dump to find just these types of documents.4. Monitor! Check your bank statements and credit card statements frequently and carefully. Be alert to any activity that is questionable or that you are not responsible for. If you find anything amiss, call your bank immediately and put a hold on your accounts. Most banks and credit card companies will not hold you financially responsible for purchases or withdrawals you haven't made or authorized, but you must let them know as quickly as possible.5. Practice computer safety. The most important thing you can do to protect yourself from online identity theft is to install firewall software on your computer. This makes it very difficult for someone to hack into your computer and steal your personal information. Even if you spend little time on your computer, you will want to be certain it is as safe as possible, so invest in firewall software. You won't regret it.6. Beware of spam. Spammers have become quite sophisticated in their methods for obtaining personal information and make their emails seem quite official. A good rule of thumb is to never click on a link in an email that is asking for updated financial information or any other type of personal information. If you feel the email could be genuine, go to the website directly, not through a link that may redirect you to a phony website.Preventing identity theft may seem impossible but by using these steps and being cautious with your personal information, you can greatly reduce the chances that it will happen to you.Dee Marie is a freelance writer for NotMadeOfMoney.com. Visit us for money saving tips and ideas. Check out our personal finance blog which is updated daily.
Keyword : identity theft,personal finance,saving money,money saving tips,
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