Identity Theft is an extremely fast-growing crime in today’s society. In 2006, more than 9 million Americans fell victim to several types of Identity Theft, costing them a total of around $5.5 billion. I was one of those victims. Before I knew it, my bank account was drained, I had been banned from websites such as eBay, and I was already facing problems in my life at that point. It was then I decided to invest a small monthly income on some Identity Theft Protection.
I never thought I could be one of those people. You know, the one’s you see on the television commercials talking about how their Identity got stolen. Because of that, I didn’t take much thought in being mindful of my day-to-day activities. Below are 7 things I could have done, and you should practice to minimize your chances of falling victim to this outreaching crime. Even so, I recommend you invest in a reliable Identity Theft Protection service, because the next victim could be YOU.
1. Be sure to check your credit report from all three major credit bureaus at least once a year to see if there are any errors, or points of question. A good Identity Theft Protection service will do this for you on a regular basis.
2. Don’t use an easily guessed PIN number for your debit card or online passwords. Always pick something random, that nobody would be able to logically figure out.
3. Never give out personal information over the phone, or Internet unless you have made sure you are processing a transaction over a secure server. If in question, don’t submit unless you have verified it.
4. If your web browser has a Phishing filter, keep it turned on. Phishing is a website that mimics another website in an attempt to get your personal information. For example, a website may be phishing eBays website so they send you an Email that looks identical to an Email that eBay would send you that says you have a bid on the product you are selling. You then click on the link and it tells you to log in. You enter your information and click Submit. Now that website has your personal information because they made you think you were logging into eBay. An internet Phishing filter will identify these websites for you.
5. Make sure you know when your bills arrive, and read them over carefully to make sure they are not fake and you don’t give out your bank account or credit card information to a thief.
6. Refrain from throwing away documents and receipts out in public. Wait until you get home and shred them.
7. Unless absolutely necessary, never give out your Social Security number. If an agency asks you for it (other than your bank, tax reporting service, employer, etc.), always ask them why they need it and always be cautious.
That concludes my list of 7 things you can do to minimize the chances of falling victim to Identity Theft. It is a sneaky crime that gets more and more complicated as time and technology advances. The only way to ensure you are completely protected, once again, is to sign up for Identity Theft Protection.
Investing in Identity Theft Protection could save you thousands of dollars, and a lot of headache in the future. For the most Reliable & Affordable Identity Theft Protection and Overall Security package, visit:
www.FreedomPlusTeam.com
