| Have you constantly been hearing reports about | | | | confidentiality and safety announcements. If |
| identity theft crimes? Do you have any idea | | | | possible, try to know the people who know about |
| about what identity theft is? | | | | your personal information. Make sure that your |
| What is Identity Theft? | | | | personal data is handled properly. If for example |
| It is the stealing of your personal data like your | | | | you are hearing negative feedbacks about the |
| social security number, licenses number, credit | | | | company, do not do business with them again. |
| card and bank account numbers, and even your | | | | • You can use your Pay Pal. You can |
| other's maiden name. You do not like your identity | | | | move a restricted number of finances into your |
| be stole from you, do you? | | | | pay pal account and utilize it to purchase goods |
| Being ready, only for instance some takes your | | | | online rather than using your credit card. |
| identity is necessary. It might be difficult on your | | | | • Avoid giving your personal data over |
| part, not unless you want to go shopping one day | | | | the telephone, via email, or online except you |
| and decide to use your credit card, only to know | | | | have started, the contact or you already know |
| that the department store rejecting your credit | | | | the person with whom you are having business. |
| card and discover that someone has been using | | | | • Before you give any of your personal |
| your identity to buy something. | | | | data, verify that you a having business with a |
| For this, you have to make significant actions to | | | | legal party. You can always check for their |
| avoid your identity being taken from you. It will | | | | website on the internet. Be alert when answering |
| take years to clear this issue up if you experience | | | | to promotions. Identity stealer may generate |
| this, so prevention is the best thing that you can | | | | promotional offers on the telephone to make you |
| do. | | | | give them your personal data. |
| How will you prevent yourself from identity theft? | | | | Are there identity theft insurance? Will you |
| At Home: | | | | purchase one for you? |
| • If you are having roommates, use | | | | There are companies that provide insurance that |
| outside assistance, or finish your work in your | | | | state about the safety it will give you against |
| home, ensure that your personal data is | | | | identity theft case. Be alert that most creditors |
| pleasurably presented to them. | | | | will only transact with you to determine the |
| • Place your outgoing mail in the post | | | | problem, meaning the insurance company are not |
| office collection box or else mail it at the nearest | | | | capable to lessen the trouble. |
| post office, than putting it is an unsafe mailboxes. | | | | As for other services, make sure that you know |
| Remove your mail from your mailbox on time. If | | | | what is being offered before you avail of it. If |
| you have sudden business trip and will not be able | | | | you want to purchase identity theft insurance, |
| to get your mail, call the postal office to ask for a | | | | investigate the company through the Better |
| holiday hold of all your mails. | | | | Business Bureau and other legal agencies to find |
| • Destroy all your bill receipts, duplicates | | | | out if they are reliable and have no complaints on |
| of credit requests, insurance applications, doctor's | | | | record. |
| prescriptions, and other important mails about you | | | | As a conclusion, always be alert and clever. If |
| that you got from your mailbox. | | | | someone asks for your personal information, may |
| • If there is really a need for this, give | | | | it be a friend, acquaintance, business, ask for the |
| your social security number and request to use | | | | reason why they want it from you. |
| other forms of identifiers. Do not permit to use | | | | Know why they want your information, what are |
| one account number for your social security, | | | | they going to do with your personal identification, |
| driver's license and insurances. | | | | how will it be kept stored, who the person to |
| At Work: | | | | know it are, and how will it be secured. |
| • Inquire about data safety guidelines in | | | | If the person answered it undoubtedly and you |
| your office or at any businesses, physician's clinic | | | | are contented with the answer, then he or she is |
| or other establishments that ask for your | | | | worth of your trust. You can provide them with |
| personal identification data. Try to know who has | | | | your information. Gord Shin is owner of Identity |
| the access to all your personal data and confirm it | | | | Theft Prevention Guide. Please visit Identity Theft |
| is hold safety. | | | | Protection for more information on id theft |
| On the Internet: | | | | prevention. Also visit Time Management Tips For |
| • If you are making business | | | | College Students, and Bass Fishing Guide for more |
| transactions online, read thoroughly about the | | | | detailed information on these topics. |