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Identity Theft: What You Can Do About It |
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| Written by John Brennan |
| Thursday, 28 August 2008 15:52 |
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You may be asking yourself, "Why do I have to protect myself against identity theft?" Everyone is a potential victim of identity fraud, and if rates continue to rise, soon everyone will know at least one person who has been a victim of identity theft. This is the sad truth of the world today. Protecting yourself against identity theft just makes sense. While it can make managing finances easier, getting bills and bank statements by mail does put you at risk of identity theft. Getting pre-approve offers in the mail is a sign that companies are taking notice of your impressive credit rating but they may not be the only ones taking notice. But just because you receive an offer on official looking letterhead doesn't mean that it is legitimate and may simply be an excuse to obtain your personal information. The best way to minimize this danger and prevent identity theft from happening to you is to keep a close eye on the routine times your bills are mailed, as well as minimize the amount of information you receive in the mail. However, knowledge of the kinds of information that come from the postal worker is the best weapon against Identity Theft. Phone, electricity and other bills for utilities usually display a customers address, account numbers and contact details. This is information that an identity theft can use to fraudulently act on your behalf. A wealth of information can be found on pay stubs, bank statements and pre-approved credit card offers. Did you know that these private documents contain your name, address and account numbers? Did you know that some employers would put your social security number on your pay stub just for filing purposes? To help prevent identity theft, keep these papers close to you so they do not fall into they wrong hands -- or shred them to guard against identity theft. Thieves even go as far as digging through your trash -- a practice called "Dumpster Diving" -- to get that one little piece of information that could turn you into a victim of identity theft. Many people throw out papers in the garbage, thinking no one would touch them amongst the food scraps. Think again. Do your best to remember to destroy any personal information and you'll be doing your job in protecting yourself against identity theft. About the Author: Get all the help you need to get your own free annual credit report, protect yourself from identity theft, repair your credit and understand your credit score: freeannualcreditreports101.com
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