Identity theft is one of fastest growing crimes in the United States. The loss of your personal identity is not only financially devastating, it is frightening and violating.
One reason is that so many people use the internet to make purchases, do their banking, and other activities that require the sharing of personal information. We often don't realize the exact paths that this information takes to get to its destination.
Many of us take it for granted that our information will be safe and will get where we need it to go. It is far too easy, however, for it to fall into the wrong hands. When it involves sensitive information like social security numbers, credit card and bank account numbers, and more, this can be devastating.
How can you prevent this from happening? You need to rethink how and to whom you provide your personal and financial information.
Firstly, you must understand where the risks lie. Have you ever wondered about the increasing popularity of automatic payments?
Identity thieves can access this information through a method called live check interception. This allows them to take over your information and begin making purchases, applying for credit cards, and more.
E-checks are also very convenient, but they contain all the valuable information that criminals need in order to make fraudulent purchases. To be safe, you can limit checks to in-store use only.
Also, instead of checks, you should consider using the online bill pay option on secure websites. This is set up to be more secure, so identity thieves do not have easy access to your information.
Because everyone is experiencing a money crunch in this tumultuous economy, identity theft is only going to grow more prevalent. If you haven't been taking active measures to protect yourself, now is a good time to start.
Do not assume that if you throw away material with personal information, no eyes will ever again look upon it. One of the most common methods of identity theft is rummaging through trash.
Whenever you receive credit card or bank statements, as well as other mail that contains personal or financial information, read it carefully. When you're finished, shred it. This takes only seconds and can prevent a horrible invasion of your personal and financial life.
When you do make purchases or provide your information online, make sure you are doing so through a secure site. You can tell by the little lock icon on the address bar. Check your bank and credit card statements regularly so you can detect any unauthorized activity. Also, as a precautionary measure, check your credit report now and again to make sure there aren't any fraudulent accounts or charges.
You will easily and quickly spot any irregularities that may be caused by identity theft. Take advantage of your free annual credit report for this purpose. You can also opt to receive monthly updates or alerts when something changes. For a minimal fee, it provides great peace of mind.
Keep a list of secure sites you use, whether they are vendors, creditors, or banks. If you notice a change in your statement or an unauthorized charge, you can contact them immediately so the damage is mitigated. It is possible to protect your identity but it takes some effort and knowledge on your part.
One reason is that so many people use the internet to make purchases, do their banking, and other activities that require the sharing of personal information. We often don't realize the exact paths that this information takes to get to its destination.
Many of us take it for granted that our information will be safe and will get where we need it to go. It is far too easy, however, for it to fall into the wrong hands. When it involves sensitive information like social security numbers, credit card and bank account numbers, and more, this can be devastating.
How can you prevent this from happening? You need to rethink how and to whom you provide your personal and financial information.
Firstly, you must understand where the risks lie. Have you ever wondered about the increasing popularity of automatic payments?
Identity thieves can access this information through a method called live check interception. This allows them to take over your information and begin making purchases, applying for credit cards, and more.
E-checks are also very convenient, but they contain all the valuable information that criminals need in order to make fraudulent purchases. To be safe, you can limit checks to in-store use only.
Also, instead of checks, you should consider using the online bill pay option on secure websites. This is set up to be more secure, so identity thieves do not have easy access to your information.
Because everyone is experiencing a money crunch in this tumultuous economy, identity theft is only going to grow more prevalent. If you haven't been taking active measures to protect yourself, now is a good time to start.
Do not assume that if you throw away material with personal information, no eyes will ever again look upon it. One of the most common methods of identity theft is rummaging through trash.
Whenever you receive credit card or bank statements, as well as other mail that contains personal or financial information, read it carefully. When you're finished, shred it. This takes only seconds and can prevent a horrible invasion of your personal and financial life.
When you do make purchases or provide your information online, make sure you are doing so through a secure site. You can tell by the little lock icon on the address bar. Check your bank and credit card statements regularly so you can detect any unauthorized activity. Also, as a precautionary measure, check your credit report now and again to make sure there aren't any fraudulent accounts or charges.
You will easily and quickly spot any irregularities that may be caused by identity theft. Take advantage of your free annual credit report for this purpose. You can also opt to receive monthly updates or alerts when something changes. For a minimal fee, it provides great peace of mind.
Keep a list of secure sites you use, whether they are vendors, creditors, or banks. If you notice a change in your statement or an unauthorized charge, you can contact them immediately so the damage is mitigated. It is possible to protect your identity but it takes some effort and knowledge on your part.
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Find these excellent places to start exploring identity theft history. You can also easily look into websites like this free credit report website.
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