| ext">There is a substantial increase in the number | | | | and no one or no company can gain access to |
| of identity thieves. Everyone should be worried | | | | your credit profile without your consent. By |
| about the statistics. Fortunately, it is not that hard | | | | locking your credit profile, only you and the |
| to protect your identity against the | | | | companies or banks you have credit relationship |
| fastest-growing criminal activity in the country. | | | | with can view your profile. This step is very |
| The most important thing is for you to be very | | | | beneficial because it closes one of the avenues |
| careful in giving away your personal information | | | | where thieves get your personal info and it stops |
| whether online or offline. | | | | pre-approved credit applications from arriving at |
| There are three common types of identity thefts | | | | your mailbox. |
| - bank fraud, phone fraud, and credit card fraud. | | | | Get a Post Office box |
| In whatever method they use, these criminals | | | | This is a locked mailbox that keeps your incoming |
| gain access to your account information, pretend | | | | mails safe from everyone, especially from |
| to be you and purchase items or open new lines | | | | thieves. When you already have this secure |
| of credit, withdraw money from your account | | | | mailbox, have your check, bills, and other |
| and so on. However, these are some ways to | | | | important mails sent to this locked box. |
| protect yourself from these thieves. | | | | Be extra careful when giving away your |
| Don’t bring all your credit cards | | | | personal information. |
| wherever you go. | | | | Since this can’t be avoided when shopping |
| If you limit the number of cards you carry, you | | | | or doing transactions online, make sure that the |
| won’t lose that much in case you are | | | | person or company you’re dealing with is |
| robbed. Also, make sure you don’t bring | | | | legitimate. Before you type your credit card |
| with you records of PIN. | | | | number, look at the address bar first and make |
| Lock your credit profiles at the credit | | | | sure that the site’s URL starts with |
| bureaus. | | | | https. Also look for the closed padlock |
| You have the right to call the credit bureaus and | | | | symbol at the bottom right hand corner of your |
| ask them to freeze your accounts. This way, no | | | | browser. |
| new credit can be made without your permission | | | | |