Identity Theft: Avoid the Epidemic

If you've ever been a victim of identity theft, you know first hand the stress and problems that it can cause. In the current economic crisis, online- and offline predators abound that have no qualms about taking advantage of the circumstances by coming up with new and innovative ways to steal your identity. To avoid becoming a statistic, here are some suggestions:

• Remove the address and telephone number from your checks. Instead of first name, middle initial, and last name on your checks, change it to initials plus last name only. This will prevent anyone from trying to forge your checks.
• Never send out a check with your Social Security Number on it.
• If your bank provides checks, order them from the bank only and not online.
• When paying bills with a check, especially credit cards, write only the last four digits of your account – never the entire account number.
• Make photocopies of your license and credit cards. Keep your Social Security card at home. Also photocopy any other important information that you regularly carry with you.
• If you use an ATM, memorize the PIN number. Do not carry around any slip of paper with the PIN number written on it. With today's camera cell phone, anyone can easily snap a picture of the number.
• Any mail received that you wish to discard should be shredded before thrown out with the garbage. Destroy all mail with your name and address on it. This is especially important for credit card offers that you receive by mail.
• Never leave posted mail for the mail carrier to pick up. Anyone can take mail out of your mailbox and use the enclosed information. If you have a bill to mail, drop it in an appropriate mailbox or take it to the Post Office.
• If you receive an email from anyone you do not know, delete it. If you receive an email claiming to be from a bank, PayPal, eBay or any other institution with which you do business stating that your account has been frozen, cancelled or needs to be updated, do not click on any links in the email. Instead, delete the email and access the institution's website directly using another browser window.
• Check your credit reports annually with each of the three credit reporting agencies. Ensure that no new accounts have been opened and that all the information provided is accurate. If not, call or write to each agency and report the problems.
• If your wallet is ever stolen, immediately contact the credit card companies, the bank, and the credit report agencies. If your Social Security card was stolen as well, you can ask the agencies to place a "fraud alert" on the number as well as your name.
• If you shop online, do so only through well-known websites that are encrypted for your protection. Look for the 'padlock' icon in the lower right-hand corner of the website.
• Never give out your Social Security Number or other personal information to anyone, whether online or offline.

If someone really wants to hack into your information, chances are that they'll eventually find a way. But, if you utilize all of the safeguards mentioned above and invest in the best anti-virus and firewall software available, their opportunities and odds will be weakened considerably.