How Do I Avoid Identity Theft

I received this in an email, and while I’m not really fond of chains and junk mail, but I thought that this one in particular was very interesting. I thought I’d share it because identity theft is common these days thanks to technology, that we all know someone who had his or her information stolen before. Either we lose our wallets, or our information is not secure enough as we had thought – the whole process of reporting the identity theft, and fixing everything back can be a nightmare.

Consider this a health post to help you live a healthy lifestyle – stress free when it comes to avoiding or dealing with identity theft. Have a read, and if there’s anything else you think you can add to help prevent identity theft, please feel free to leave a comment below .

Tips to protect or prevent identity theft:

1. The next times you order checks have only your initials and last name put on them (instead of full first name). If someone takes your checkbook, they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name, but your bank will know how you sign your checks.

2. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put “PHOTO ID REQUIRED.”

**Some stores will argue that you should write both your signature & “Ask for ID”, or you will still be accountable – but honestly, my signatures never look the same, and cloning has yet to enter the black market – or so I hope.

3. When writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the “For” line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check-processing channels will not have access to it.

4. Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a PO Box, use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, use your work address. Never have your SS# printed on your checks, (DUH!). You can add it if it is necessary. However, if you have it printed, anyone can get it.

5. Photocopy contents of your wallet. Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place. Also carry a photocopy of your passport when traveling either here or abroad. We have all heard horror stories about fraud that is committed on us in stealing a name, address, Social Security number, and credit cards.

6. Checking out of a hotel that uses cards for keys (and they all seem to do that now), do not turn the “keys” in. Take them with you and destroy them. Those little cards have on them all of the information you gave the hotel, including address and credit card numbers and expiration dates. Someone with a card reader, or employee of the hotel, can access all that information with no problem whatsoever.

**These days majority of hotels won’t even ask for the key cards, and will just let you keep it. If not, do it anyways. Digital key cards can always be made again, and again.

Identity Theft: What to do…

Here is some critical information to limit the damage in case theft of identity happens to you or someone you know:

1. Cancel our credit cards immediately. The key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them.

2. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).

3. Call the three national credit-reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit.

Avoid Identity Theft