Identity Theft
Many Americans believe that they are not at risk for identity theft or that it will not happen to them. Here are some startling statistics that everyone should keep in mind:
ThiThieves will spare no expense when trying to steal personal information, including working for companies that provide services, i.e. cable and telephone companies, home health care providers, cleaning services and many others. Many identity thefts are from persons who are allowed in one’s home to provide a service. Here are some tips that will reduce your chances of becoming a victim of identity theft:
· Check your credit report regularly. Check your children’s credit report as well. The three credit reporting agencies are not always the same, so check them all. Many Americans do not know what is on their credit report.
· Check your driver’s license and criminal record regularly.
· Check your medical records regularly. Thieves will use your health insurance to receive free health care. When this happens, their health information ends up in your record.
· Most professionals will tell you to shred all documents with personal information on them that are to be placed in the trash. Take it a step further and burn them, protecting yourself from self-designed programs by thieves that when scanned can be put back together. Anything that contains any personal information, including account numbers, bank information, health insurance information, DMV correspondence, medical and other bills, anything with your Social Security number and date of birth-everything.
· Never store any personal information on your PC or laptop. Always shut them down when you are finished and set user accounts with password verification.
· Businesses with whom you have accounts with will never ask for personal information via email or over the phone. If you get an email asking for personal information, do not give it and do not left-click on a provided link.
· Only make on-line purchases from trusted web sites.
· Do not carry in your wallet or purse anything that you do not need to, especially Social Security cards and pin numbers/passwords, and voter registration cards.
· Keep files with personal and account information in a locked, fireproof filing cabinet or safe. Keep items such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, passports, life insurance policies and other documents you rarely need in a safe deposit box at your bank.