Identity theft is an increasingly popular crime, with someone becoming a victim almost every minute. It's important to take steps to protect yourself; otherwise, thieves can steal critical information about you, like your name, address, telephone number, bank account, or credit card numbers, and—most dangerous—your Social Security number.
Scammers put this sensitive information to work in many ways: applying for additional credit cards or loans, opening bank accounts, setting up cell phone services, and going on shopping sprees. Some identity thieves could even go so far as to give your name to the police during an arrest.
Minimizing the disaster of identity theft depends primarily on your vigilance in guarding your privacy. Here are the top ten ways to safeguard your personal information.
Ensure that your personal information is safely secured, especially if you have roommates or employ outside help.
Don't post personal information, like your birth date, on social media or elsewhere online. Never provide personal or financial information unless a website site is secure. To make sure a site is secure, look for a security symbol such as an unbroken padlock and a URL that starts with "https" rather than simply "http." Right-click the padlock to make sure it's up to date.
Carry only the personal identification, credit cards, and debit cards that you need. Keep your little-used identification and cards in a secure place.
Keep your Social Security card in a secure location, and give out your Social Security number only when absolutely required. Don't carry your Social Security card with you.
When you use passwords for your various online accounts, use ones that aren't easily guessed or found. Avoid using obvious passwords like "123456789," "qwerty," your mother's maiden name, the names of your children, spouse, or pets, or other personal data.
If you learn that a company had a data breach that may have affected your records, find out what kind of information was taken. If it was your credit card information only, monitor those accounts closely for fraudulent charges.
If your Social Security number or other sensitive information was stolen, again, consider placing a credit freeze on your files with each of the three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—to prevent a thief from opening up accounts in your name and ruining your credit. Though, a credit freeze won't stop a thief from making charges to existing accounts.
Don't give personal information over the phone unless absolutely necessary, and don't ever give it out unless you initiated the call. If someone contacts you and says they're calling from someplace like your bank, credit card company, or the IRS, ask for a number to call them back. Then, make sure it's really an official number.
Be wary when you're asked to provide personal information by telephone, through the mail, or over the Internet. Even if you've initiated the contact, confirm that the other party is legitimate. Call the organization's customer service number and validate the exchange before you give any personal information. Also, ask how the information will be shared with others and request that the information be kept confidential.
Take the following steps to protect the personal information stored on your electronic devices, like a laptop, tablet, or cell phone:
When you travel, leave your checkbook, Social Security card, and other unnecessary items in a safe place at home. If you take a laptop, smartphone, or another device on your trip, make sure it's secure. It should be password-protected and have the latest Internet security software installed. Ask your hotel to recommend reputable Internet cafes or WiFi spots before you do any online connecting. Also, erase your online history after using a public computer
If you get a supposed IRS email asking for personal or financial information, delete it or send it to the IRS at [email protected] for investigation. Don't be fooled by links to what looks like the real IRS website; that too could be a fraud. The IRS doesn't initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text messages, or social media to ask for personal or financial information like PIN numbers, passwords, or similar access information for credit cards, banks, or other financial accounts. When in doubt, contact the IRS.
If you think your identity has already been stolen, see Stolen Identity? Here's What to Do and visit Identitytheft.gov. Also, keep an eye on your credit report and respond to any inaccurate information. It's also a good idea to file your taxes early—as soon as you can—before a scammer does.
If you need help straightening out your finances, dealing with debt collection agencies, or getting credit bureaus to remove fraudulent information from your credit report after an identity thief opens new accounts in your name, consider talking to an identity theft attorney, debt settlement attorney, or a consumer protection attorney. An attorney can also advise you of all of the rights and the remedies available to you under federal and state law.
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