10 Ways To Prevent Identity Theft 

Don’t assume that they are just after your credit cards. There are different types of identity theft and many ways for you to be victimized. Identity theft doesn’t just happen on the Internet. It is more common to become a victim by someone you know or even a member of your family.

Secure you computer.  

Your firewall is not total security; you need more defense than that. Locks only keep honest people out. Double walls are better, get the free Spybot program and run it regularly to get what the firewall misses. Check PC Magazine for the rave reviews on SpyBot. 

 Do not store personal information in your computer. 

Never store passwords on your computer. Do not store bank accounts, credit card numbers, your social security number or any other such information on a computer. If someone can bypass your security system, accessing a locked file will be a breeze.

Do not write down your passwords. 

Pick a short sentence like, “Dang dog ate my socks.” Using a mix of letters and numbers create your code and it will allow you to write down the sentence and no one could decipher the password. The example sentence password could look like this: Dd8miSox. 

Never use your birthday or social security number as a pin.  

Here’s a handy way to remember your pin numbers. Word association used with your phone’s keypad. The word “chicken” as a pin would be 2442536. Use your cell phone to help you with the corresponding numbers and you only need remember a word.

Secure your mailbox. 

How many times a week do you remove your mail? Your personal information sits on the curb like fruit ripe for picking. All financial account statements should not be left in such an exposed place. What other sensitive mail with your driver’s license number or social security number on it is delivered to your home?

Stop receiving paper statements. 

Statements or bills viewed electronically online are safer than paper. Your cell phone, bank accounts and credit card statements should not sit in your mailbox all day. Switch everything you can to electronic reports. You can print them to reconcile an account and shred them immediately after balancing.

Do not get check reprints delivered in the mail. 

An identity thief would have a field day with your account number. How much fun can they have with the routing number too? Have new checks delivered to the bank.

Secure your home. 

You have lots of personal information that is attractive to one who could use it against you. Get a locking file cabinet to safely store items like spare credit cards, extra checks, investment accounts, marriage certificate, birth certificates, social security cards, mortgage papers, health and life insurance files, etc.

Stop receiving pre-approved credit card offers.

Sign up for the Opt-Out program before you owe more than you know about. Sign up for the Do Not Call List while you are at it. Some of those irritating callers could be after more than a carpet-cleaning sale.

Never give out personal information on the telephone.

Anyone who calls claiming to be from a company you have an account with wanting to verify records should be treated as suspect. Tell them you’ll call them back. If it really is the company they won’t mind at all.