| Identity Theft is a rapidly expanding crime in the | | | | identity thieves. |
| United States with over 7 million victims between | | | | 4) Always be aware of store employees when |
| 2007 and 2008. With so many people falling victim | | | | paying by credit or debit card. Don't ever allow |
| to this invisible crime, now is the time to think | | | | your credit card to be out of your sight. A |
| about what you can do to prevent identity theft | | | | practice known as skimming allows thieves to |
| from ruining your life. By following the 10 | | | | make exact replicas of your card in a split second |
| effective prevention techniques below you will | | | | by swiping your card through a small device, |
| greatly reduce the chances of an identity thief | | | | which records the information to be printed on to |
| getting hold of your private and personal details. | | | | a blank card at a later date. |
| 1) You must ensure the security of your mail! | | | | 5) Always be aware of who you are speaking |
| Depending where in the country you live, you | | | | with, in person or over the telephone. If |
| may find that you do not have a lockable secure | | | | somebody contacts you and asks for any |
| mailbox. Maybe if you live in the country, your | | | | personal or private details, do not give them |
| mailbox may be located some distance from your | | | | anything until they have confirmed who they are |
| home. This is a perfect opportunity for identity | | | | and what they are calling for. Also it is crucial you |
| thieves to lift your confidential mail including bank | | | | do not offer any information until you are |
| statements, credit card bills and more. Why not | | | | confident the call is legitimate. |
| think about getting a lockable mailbox? You should | | | | 6) Your credit file is an extremely important piece |
| also consider renting a P.O Box to store your post | | | | of information that is crucial to any credit |
| while you're on vacation or away with work. | | | | applications you ever make. You should review |
| 2) Get into the habit of shredding your waste mail! | | | | your report at least once per year, ideally once |
| This is such an important point to remember. | | | | every six months. If you notice anything |
| People rarely consider the security of their waste | | | | suspicious you should contact your credit card |
| mail, however 'dumpster diving' is a technique | | | | companies, banks and financial institutions and all |
| commonly used by identity thieves to obtain your | | | | three credit bureau's immediately. These are |
| details from your trash. By shredding the | | | | Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. |
| important documents containing account numbers | | | | 7 Take a very careful approach to giving out |
| and details, you will prevent dumpster diving by | | | | your personal details. Social networking sites such |
| rendering the trash unreadable. | | | | as Myspace and Facebook are regularly prowled |
| 3) You should protect your Social Security | | | | by identity thieves for private details such as |
| Number at all times! Never carry your Social | | | | addresses, date of birth and employment details. |
| Security card on your person if you can possibly | | | | Awareness is the key to avoiding identity theft, |
| help it. Also do not ever write your Social Security | | | | but there are many more advanced techniques |
| number on your checks as a combination of the | | | | thieves are using to steal your identity! |
| two pieces of information is a jackpot find for | | | | |