Statistics say that there were over 14 million recorded identity thefts in a span of 2 years (January 2001 to middle of May 2003) in the US alone. Imagine what the statistics are like worldwide. United States Victims ended up shedding a total of $4 Billion out of their own money. The number has only gone up since then. By reading this article, I hope you will learn how to avoid being another identity theft statistic. Here are some things you can do to protect your credit and your identity from thieves. Remember that you can never 100% protect yourself against identity theft as we use our personal information to purchase stuff everyday. However, you can definitely mitigate the risks.
1. Be careful of people nearby who look like the are snoopy. These are people who try to take a peek at what you are doing over your shoulders Always be alert of your surroundings when you are working in a public space. Try to have a privacy screen when you are working in public, such as a library. Always remember the more people there are at any one place, the bigger the chance that there is an onlooker.
2. Make sure to completely destroy all digital data. Shred paper documents containing any information about your accounts. Thieves have been known to retrieve sensitive information from recycle cans. In the same manner, if you want to get rid of your computer, make sure that you thoroughly erase all data and also try to break the harddrive, if possible. When I give away stuff or sell hard drives, I always make sure to do a software wipe at least twice over.
3. Make sure to never leave your digital widgets (such as laptops and phones) unguarded. That means they should always have a strong password and be locked when it is not in front of you. Internet access is ubiquitous so computer hackers can hack into your device from practically anywhere if your devices are unsecured. You must always have an encrypted password for your network at home. It should be protected with a firewall to prevent security intrusions. Hackers are always on looking for low-security home networks to steal information from. Make sure to secure your data-sensitive apps on your phone with a password also. There are apps for that.
4. Use an alarm system for your house and car. They are very good at deterring criminals as the sound of an alarm going off will turn everyone's attention on them. Plus, alarm systems are too troublesome to disarm.
5. Get signed up for a credit monitoring service such as IdentityGuard. They will notify you via e-mail or text of any changes in your credit profile. Sometimes these services also give you a free monthly credit score. Albiet, they are not your FICO scores, but they are darn close. Ask your bank about the fraud protection they offer because you will need it; if not now then some time in the future. I guarantee it.
By using the tips I posted above, you can largely decrease the chance of having your identity stolen and your credit profile ruined. Remember, the biggest repercussion of a stolen identity is the lasting effect it has on your credit. So save yourself the hassle and protect yourself because it is a big hassle having to repair your credit profile after an identity theft. Use the tips above and it will greatly reduce your chances of having your credit ruined and your identity stolen.
1. Be careful of people nearby who look like the are snoopy. These are people who try to take a peek at what you are doing over your shoulders Always be alert of your surroundings when you are working in a public space. Try to have a privacy screen when you are working in public, such as a library. Always remember the more people there are at any one place, the bigger the chance that there is an onlooker.
2. Make sure to completely destroy all digital data. Shred paper documents containing any information about your accounts. Thieves have been known to retrieve sensitive information from recycle cans. In the same manner, if you want to get rid of your computer, make sure that you thoroughly erase all data and also try to break the harddrive, if possible. When I give away stuff or sell hard drives, I always make sure to do a software wipe at least twice over.
3. Make sure to never leave your digital widgets (such as laptops and phones) unguarded. That means they should always have a strong password and be locked when it is not in front of you. Internet access is ubiquitous so computer hackers can hack into your device from practically anywhere if your devices are unsecured. You must always have an encrypted password for your network at home. It should be protected with a firewall to prevent security intrusions. Hackers are always on looking for low-security home networks to steal information from. Make sure to secure your data-sensitive apps on your phone with a password also. There are apps for that.
4. Use an alarm system for your house and car. They are very good at deterring criminals as the sound of an alarm going off will turn everyone's attention on them. Plus, alarm systems are too troublesome to disarm.
5. Get signed up for a credit monitoring service such as IdentityGuard. They will notify you via e-mail or text of any changes in your credit profile. Sometimes these services also give you a free monthly credit score. Albiet, they are not your FICO scores, but they are darn close. Ask your bank about the fraud protection they offer because you will need it; if not now then some time in the future. I guarantee it.
By using the tips I posted above, you can largely decrease the chance of having your identity stolen and your credit profile ruined. Remember, the biggest repercussion of a stolen identity is the lasting effect it has on your credit. So save yourself the hassle and protect yourself because it is a big hassle having to repair your credit profile after an identity theft. Use the tips above and it will greatly reduce your chances of having your credit ruined and your identity stolen.
About the Author:
If you like to learn more about improving your credit score or possibly credit card help