| Knowing how to avoid identity theft is one of the | | | | they won a prize or can be entitled to some |
| most important steps any individual can take | | | | benefit or great savings on merchandise if they |
| today to ensure their financial security and good | | | | provide this information. |
| credit standing. Failure to learn how to avoid | | | | Secure your mailbox in a location where strangers |
| identify theft can result in financial loss, credit | | | | or passers-by can't have easy access. Identity |
| rating reverses and a tangled mess that can take | | | | thieves often steal incoming as well as outgoing |
| years to unravel. | | | | mail to obtain financial account information, so pick |
| Store your financial information, such as bank | | | | up your incoming mail promptly and don't leave |
| account numbers and credit card accounts, in a | | | | stamped outgoing envelopes for the postal carrier. |
| secure, locked location which strangers or visitors | | | | Mail them at the post office or deposit into a |
| to your home or office cannot easily access. Only | | | | nearby postal mailbox instead. |
| share your account numbers with legitimate | | | | Shred credit card receipts once you have |
| businesses in order to conduct financial | | | | recorded the transaction as just tossing these |
| transactions. Do not automatically give any | | | | receipts into the trash can have them wind up in |
| financial account information on an application just | | | | the wrong hands. Shred any documents containing |
| because you are asked for it. | | | | sensitive financial information or details when you |
| Guard the confidentialty of your social security | | | | are ready to dispose of them so that no one else |
| number. Identity theft experts who gain access | | | | can copy down the information these pages |
| to this number literally have a key to unlock | | | | contain. |
| plenty of other financial details about you in order | | | | Request a free copy of your credit report on an |
| to do major damage. Do not list this number on | | | | annual basis to note any errors or discrepancies |
| job resumes or provide it on job application forms | | | | which may indicate that a potential identity thief |
| until you are given a bona fide job offer and | | | | has tried to access your records. |
| know who are dealing with. | | | | Keep the toll-free number of the Federal Trade |
| Be wary of anyone calling or e-mailing you with a | | | | Commission handy, 1-877-438-4338, if you have |
| request for you to divulge account numbers or | | | | any questions about identity theft or suspect you |
| your social security number in order to do | | | | have been a victim of identity theft. |
| business with them. Many con artists count on the | | | | Still want to know more, check out this link to |
| fact that people can often be manipulated into | | | | avoid identity theft. |
| giving up confidential information by being told | | | | |