Identity Theft Is Preventable, If You Take These Steps

Identity theft is a serious crime that is growing each year. If you are a victim of identity theft you may spend months, possibly years, trying to restore a damaged credit report. An extremely ruined credit report could compromise your chances of obtaining new employment, a bank loan, insurance or even renting a house. It is even possible to be arrested for a violation you did not commit if the guilty party has used your identity to commit illegal acts.

Unfortunately, many of the methods that criminals utilize to steal identities are beyond your control to shield against. Albeit it is seldom, even store cashiers have been known to take advantage of their position to pass along information to identity thieves. There are some actions you could take, nonetheless, that can make it more difficult for a thief to steal your identity.

Safeguard Your Credit Card Number When Buying Items

After you make a purchase and your credit or debit card has been run through a credit card terminal, check to be sure that the printed receipt obscures every number but the last 4 digits of your credit card account number (usually there will be Xs in place of the first twelve numbers). Some machines still print copies of receipts that show all 16 digits of an account number, and may even include the date the card expires as well. After your card is swiped, you are authorized legally to conceal the first twelve digits of your account number on the copy of the receipt that the seller holds. Utilize any marking pen that will do the job.

When you go to a restaurant, it is primarily important to be certain that the 1st 12 digits of your credit card number are masked on your receipt. You might be in the custom of signing it and then leaving the restaurant's duplicate receipt on the dinner table after your meal. A criminal could conveniently steal the endorsed duplicate receipt prior to the waitperson coming back around to pick it up from the dinner table. Don't take any risks.

Do You Really Need To Offer Your Social Security Number?

Another important way that you could guard against identity theft is to avoid offering your social security number unless it is definitely necessary. Although you need to give your social security number when you apply for a loan or for a bank account, on occasion a business or an organization will need to use it as an identification number, only to identify you within their system. This is a common procedure although the law states that social security numbers are not to be maintained as identification numbers. In these situations, use your judgment. There is usually an alternative if you inquire.

Destroy Forms That Contain Sensitive Personal Information

Purchase a paper shredder and apply it to terminate papers you're getting rid of which include personal data such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, phone numbers and birth dates. This is important to do both at your residence and your place of employment. Identity thieves are not above sifting through people's garbage to acquire valuable personal data that can help them obtain credit in your name.

If The Worst Occurs

If you do become a victim of identity theft, take the following actions without delay:

* Communicate with your credit card companies, stop your accounts and request to have new cards issued to you.

* Place a fraud alert on your file with any one of the 3 major credit bureaus. The other two will be notified automatically.

* Put in a police report. You may need it to show to creditors as confirmation of the illegal act.

* Put in a complaint with the FTC, which maintains a database of identity theft cases utilized by law enforcement agencies for their investigations.

Article Source: http://www.myaddirectory.com

William Hopkins hates identity theft especially knowing how LifeLock can help prevent it. Be sure to read his Life Lock review.

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