Tips on How To Avoid Identity Theft
There’s so much bad new about identity theft, it can leave you feeling helpless and overwhelmed. But you’re not helpless. In fact, hidden within all that bad news is some good news about identity theft prevention.
But first the bad news. One out of three victims says they know who stole their identity. What’s really shocking is that more than half of the time, they knew the perpetrator. That’s right; identity theft is usually the act of a co worker, neighbor, in-home employee, a friend or a family member.
Preventing identity theft
Now the good news. Because the theft takes place at home or work, you have more control and are better able to prevent identity theft in those locations by taking simple precautions.
- Keep your personal information out of sight. Bank statements, Social Security cards, credit card bills … anything with your personal information or account numbers should be kept at home and locked up. If you don’t need it, shred it. If you have the option of using electronic statements or bill paying online, do it. Only 2 percent of identity theft occurs from someone using the internet.
- Don’t leave mail in the mailbox. Pick up incoming mail promptly. Outgoing mail should be taken to the post office or a mail collection box. Consider a locking mailbox to protect your incoming mail. Better than any of these, rent a post office box.
- Install firewall, anti-virus, and anti-spyware software on your computer. Update it regularly. Protect your computer with passwords and PINs. The most secure passwords use a combination of upper and lower-case letters, numbers and characters.
- Don’t leave your laptop lying around at home, the office or the airport. Encrypt any personal information.
- Unless, you’ve initiated the contact, never give out personal information over the phone or by computer.
- Don’t carry anything in your wallet that you don’t absolutely need. Voter registration cards, Social Security cards, credit cards, checkbooks should all be left at home and locked up.
More good news
In the event of a breach of security related to corporate or governmental records, you can still be protected from identity theft, by subscribing to LoudSiren. LoudSiren will place fraud alerts on your records with all three nationwide credit reporting bureaus, and automatically renew them every three months when they expire. If someone tries to open an account in your name or with your Social Security number, you’ll be notified immediately at any of the three phone numbers you provide to verify or reject the application.
When applying for credit yourself, you’ll use a special code that lets LoudSiren know the application is legitimate. LoudSiren will also block your phone number from telemarketers, and block you address from unwanted junk mail including pre-approved credit card offers.
There’s a lot you can do to prevent identity theft. LoudSiren can help. Click here to learn more.
