| While the internet offers many great advantages, | | | | Instead, keep it in a secure place where it is |
| it also increases our need for personal data | | | | unlikely to be lost or stolen. Wallets and purses |
| protection. Many organizations that collect personal | | | | are too easily stolen or lost with this valuable |
| data about us, have had breaches in their security | | | | piece of information. |
| that allows this data to be accessed by persons | | | | Stop having phone numbers and driver's license |
| that have no business in knowing our personal | | | | numbers printed on your check. Ten to fifteen |
| data. | | | | years ago, it was common to print these |
| Even branches of the military have had the | | | | numbers on the check because it was more |
| security of their systems sometimes breached | | | | convenient for writing checks. Today, it is a good |
| and the personal data of veterans has been | | | | way to help an identity thief to take your identity. |
| leaked. It is not uncommon today to hear that a | | | | It also makes it much easier for someone to take |
| bank or an insurance companies computer has | | | | your checks and empty your bank account. |
| been hacked into and some of our personal data | | | | Purchase a paper shredder and make use of it. All |
| has been leaked. | | | | pre-approved applications should be destroyed so |
| When personal data is compromised, it makes it | | | | that someone cannot go through your trash and |
| easy for your identity to be stolen. Identity | | | | steal your identity. Shredders can also be used for |
| thieves open credit card accounts using your | | | | expired credit cards. |
| good credit to get the things that they want with | | | | Consider purchasing a locking mailbox. There are |
| no intention of paying for them. Your only clue | | | | several models available that allow the postman to |
| may be when bill collectors start calling about | | | | drop your mail into the box but require that a key |
| accounts that you never opened and never | | | | be used to retrieve the mail. This is an excellent |
| approved. | | | | way to protect your identity from people that |
| There are some things that you can do to | | | | sometimes steal mail out of mailboxes just to get |
| protect your personal data, both on line and at | | | | personal data about you. |
| home. | | | | If you will be out of town overnight, be sure that |
| Never give personal information to anyone unless | | | | you have someone collect your mail. If you will be |
| it is absolutely necessary. Protect your social | | | | gone for some time, ask the post office to hold |
| security number. It should only be given to banks, | | | | your mail until you return. If you are often out of |
| employers and government offices when required. | | | | town, a post office box may be your best |
| If the doctor's office asks for the social security | | | | solution. Mail delivered there is locked in a secure |
| number, ask them why it is needed. Stop carrying | | | | place until you remove it from the box. |
| the social security card in your wallet or purse. | | | | |