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