Wise identity theft

Identity theft statistics are shocking, to say the least. But it does not get better any time soon. But there is no need to let you become a statistic. The following is what you can do to avoid identity theft.

A. If your mailbox does not lock, put a.

If you have any letters, missing from your mailbox recently, most likely someone had stolen the things they find out you, and are likely to assume your identity. If it does not happen to you, expect to be lucky, anyway on the mailbox lock.

Two. Consider renting a post office box at the local post office. Use it as a postal address or e-mail. This will be particularly useful when you go a few days, or if there is no maximum day to go home.

3. A good shredder, the best cross-section of the types of investments.

You should never just tear up important files. But may be less obvious pre-charge concessions from banks, credit card companies, insurance companies and the like that contain your sensitive details, this will be interested in identity theft. Shredded before throwing out all of these.

4. Never give any financial details over the phone unless you initiated the call.

The most common scenario: someone told you to pretend is from local charities. You agree to donate a small amount of "good reason". Without any doubt, you give them your credit card information via phone, and the rest as they say, is history. The next time you get your credit card bill, it will be full of unauthorized transactions.

You give them your credit card number by phone? Never! Or ask them to mail to send you some leaflets or get their phone number, so you can verify who they are, they say, they donate any sum before.

Another situation: some call it, "is your local bank. All they want to do is verify that your financial details. Again, I do not care and they will tell you what not to do so. I asked them to leave their name and contact numbers so you can call them. Next, your local bank's phone number from the phonebook, and a phone call to the bank (do not use the number they give you, the thieves may just wait for the other end). To ask the bank if someone tried to contact you. You may find that they knew nothing about! The fact is that banks already have all the details they need, in most cases.

5 A fake "charity worker" knocking on your door? He or she may even have a real forward-looking ID. What do you do? Well, if you give them some small changes, then this is what you have lost. However, if the money you donate with your credit card, you just become a victim of identity fraud.

Of course, a real charity worker repeatedly knocking on your door. If you really want to help you do what? Ask them to leave you a leaflet, so that you can read it when the time is a more convenient. Or ask a phone number and the name of the charitable organization, so you can call them. If proved to be true, you can always give them the money.

6. Take into account a few silent your phone number changes. This will significantly reduce the number of calls from telemarketing and identity theft. There are a silent number as well as other advantages. Generally silent number will increase your privacy.

7. Does not store near you PIN number or password, your plastic card or account details.

Yes, I know. You want to keep your PIN number close to your plastic card, just in case you forgot. You can even masquerade as another number. Guess. If your wallet thief be maintained, they will try any figures they can find money to steal from the plastic card account. This is true, usually after several unsuccessful attempts locked account. But even so, the inconvenience, but at least it can be said. Why lose your hard-earned money?

8. From your line of sight on your credit card, or even a minute of restaurants or other places, do not use credit cards. Before you know it, your card can be scanned and used by thieves, especially shopping by phone, mail order, online shopping, the purchase of various commodities.

9. Finally, there is a large and growing Internet identity theft. Obviously, we do not cover everything here. But I hope this article opened your eyes to some simple common sense approach to prevent someone from stealing your identity and / or your money.

This will ensure you never fall in love with one of the victims? No, but it will go a long way, the thief is a very difficult life. Usually, if you go through, they will move to an easier target.

One thing you should seriously consider. Regularly check your credit report. The identity thief to apply for a loan or credit card, your name is not uncommon. Of course, they did not have to pay its intentions. All other issues aside, this will affect your credit rating and borrowing capacity for years, unless you quickly it clean.

Low-cost service will monitor your credit file throughout the year and to notify you minutes on your credit file. Or, you might prefer to check their credit report every few months.

Oh, those alarming statistics, I mentioned earlier, you? Recent studies have shown that, up to 7,000,000 people become identity theft victims in the past 12 months. This is more than 19,000 people a day. Do not become a statistic! Do some things today.