Identity Theft Protection and You

Step One: 

Do not carry your social security card around on your wallet or purse. If you haven’t already memorized your social security number, it long past time you did so. You are also overdue to have a locking, fireproof filing cabinet or safe box for storing anything regarding your identity or stating any and all sensitive personal information. Putting your social security card under lock and key is the beginning of identity theft protection.

Step Two: 

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure is doubly true when it comes to identity theft protection. There are so many things we toss in the trash without contemplating whose hands they may fall into. Just because you closed that old checking account doesn’t mean no information could be gleaned with all the paperwork related to it. The bank has those records and must keep them on file for at least 10 years into the future. Identity thieves are clever and devious. Shred or burn any paper that has any account information at all; open, closed or offered.

Step Three: 

Keeping constant vigil on your credit report and score is not something only those who are trying to increase their files should be doing. No matter how bad or rock solid your credit is, you still need to thoroughly check over your credit report. Feeling that you are safe could be a huge error of judgment. Keeping a monthly eye on your credit file is very important to keeping alert in your plan for identity theft protection.

Step Four: 

Stop using any word, name, number or portions thereof as passwords, pin numbers and account security questions. Thinking your mother’s maiden name is untraceable is not very wise. Neither is the year you were born or a part of your social security number. These are the first things and identity thief would try in unlocking your secret codes. Identity theft protection is only as safe as you make it. There are far better answers to creating easily remembered codes that will be unbreakable.

Step Five: 

If you think that your personal information may have been compromised in any way whatsoever you need to take immediate steps to protect your good name. First, contact all of you creditors and one credit bureau to put a possible fraud alert in your credit files. Second, call the police and file a police report. Third, contact the Federal Trade Commission and file a complaint. By reacting immediately you will have headed the would-be assailant off at the pass. This could be a huge bonus toward identity theft protection damage control.

Step Six: 

Do not think that you are safe simply by not buying anything off the Internet or never sending any personal information anywhere online. There are many other ways you can fall victim to this massive crime wave. Complete identity theft protection takes into account that your information can be gained through many real world ways. You employment records, health care records, marital records and other institutions that have your identity information on file. There is also your mail, your household or business trash, stores you make purchases from and on into your vehicles, purse or wallet and etcetera. The list of possible angles an identity thief could utilize is very wide spread.