| Identity theft is one of the fastest growing | | | | paper shredder is a must if you hope to |
| crimes in the world. One out of every four | | | | prevent identity theft. Shred bank |
| households will be plagued by this crime and | | | | statements, pre-approved offers, and other |
| a new victim's freedom and privacy will be | | | | sensitive documents before throwing them |
| compromised every 4 seconds. Thankfully, | | | | away. It's a good idea to opt out of special |
| preventing identity theft from creating havoc | | | | credit offers that come in the mail. |
| in your life is not as hard as it sounds. | | | | |
| | | | - Protect your mailbox. Make a habit of |
| The most important thing is to understand | | | | mailing checks and other personal data |
| identity theft and how it occurs. Contrary | | | | directly from the post office rather than |
| to popular belief, most identity thieves are | | | | leaving it in your home mailbox and try to |
| not computer hackers. Less than 12% of the | | | | check your mail as quickly as possible to |
| identity crimes that take place actually | | | | prevent mail theft, a common method for |
| originate online. Instead, thieves use your | | | | identity thieves. |
| garbage, stolen credit cards, and other | | | | |
| traditional methods to access your personal | | | | - Avoid using checks, whenever possible. Not |
| information and assume your identity. | | | | only is all the personal data a criminal |
| | | | needs to assume your identity printed right |
| Preventing identity theft from occurring is | | | | on the face of your check, your bank account |
| the only way to protect yourself from this | | | | number and the bank routing number are in |
| emotionally and financially devastating | | | | plain view. This is an ideal opportunity for |
| crime. Most victims are not even aware that | | | | a thief. |
| their identity was stolen until they are | | | | |
| denied credit, housing, or employment because | | | | The best way to prevent identity theft is to |
| of the crime and less than 5% of the thieves | | | | stay active and aware. Review your bank |
| are actually arrested, leaving victims to | | | | accounts and credit card statements each |
| spend hundreds of hours, not to mention | | | | month for any suspicious activity and |
| thousands of dollars, to repair the damage on | | | | immediately investigate anything that may |
| their own. | | | | seem odd. Watch for your statements to come |
| | | | in the mail and contact your financial |
| Protect yourself from the horrors of identity | | | | institution if it is not received on time. |
| theft with these simple tips: | | | | Many banks offer electronic statements that |
| | | | can help you protect yourself. A Credit |
| - Guard your personal data. Avoid giving | | | | Monitoring Service can save you time and |
| your social security or bank account numbers | | | | trouble by continuously monitoring and |
| to people you don't know. Never give out | | | | reviewing your credit reports for you and |
| information over the phone or computer unless | | | | notifying you of any changes, new accounts, |
| you initiated the contact. Keep credit | | | | or other activity not initiated by you. For |
| cards, account numbers, pins, and passwords | | | | additional information try visiting to learn |
| in a safe place at home. | | | | more about identity theft and ways to protect |
| | | | yourself. |
| - Invest in a shredder. A small home office | | | | |