There are a number of different types of identity theft such as the fraudulent use of someone elses credit card or bank account, running up bills in another persons name and working in another persons name. Victims of identity theft often responsible for repaying the money and / or owed and this is everyone should follow some guaranteed to work tips for protection against identity theft.
First, we should all be aware of the different forms of theft and how they take place in order to know how to prevent it. There are many easy steps to take such as keeping a regular check on your credit rating and watching for activity on your monthly bills that you don't recognize.
Never give out personal information unless it is to someone that is well known and trusted to you. Documents that contain any personal details should be shredded before being thrown away and this can include anything from bank statements to credit card offers. Social security cards and numbers are extremely important as a person can easily work in someone elses name fraudulently.
Never have a social security or drivers license number printed on a check book, instead memorize the numbers. Never freely carry around important documentation and numbers as they could easily be stolen. Consider taking your details out of the phonebook. Cancel and destroy any cards that are not used. If your purse or wallet has been stolen, contact any financial institution that you may have an account with.
Other tips for protection against identity theft are to keep any valuable information in the home locked away in a safe. If you receive unsolicited emails or telephone calls requesting your personal information, do not give any information away unless you contact your bank yourself to verify that the caller is legitimate. If traveling, keep copies of your identification at home in case they are stolen.
Tips for Protection against Online Identity Theft
Tips for protection against online identity theft are relatively simple. Always keep the computer protected from viruses and hacking using high quality antivirus and spy ware programs which are updated regularly. Change passwords frequently and make them as hard to figure out as possible using combinations of letters and numbers.
Emails that request information such as passwords or account information should not be answered. Verify websites before offering any credit card information as being secure as there are many fake sites that look and act like the real thing.
Article Source: http://www.orbitaloc.com/
If you'd like to learn more about how you can protect yourself from online security threats, visit the Online Security Toolkit at www.onlinesecuritytoolkit.com, where you'll find helpful information about spam, spyware, viruses, identity theft and more.
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