Want to Avoid Identity Theft? Here Are Some Tips
1. Refrain from writing checks from your personal account to people whom you are not familiar with. Rather, consider providing cash, a bank draft or using Western Union. Although you did not register for Internet banking, an unauthorized person can draw out money directly from your accounts via the Internet.
2. Before getting rid of bank statements, you need to be aware of this – people who steal identities cannot go into your house or where you work. Rather, they go through your garbage cans looking for personal information, and most of the time, they get what they are looking for, so obtain a paper shredding machine. It is wise to consider using a identity theft alert product.
3. Sign up for online statement delivery. Majority of financial institutions deliver their client’s statements using the Post Office. The downside of this is that your statements contains nearly all of your bank account information and there is nothing stopping someone from opening your statements that come in the mail.
4. You will frequently receive credit card promo checks in the mail. These can be incredible simple to convert into cold hard cash. Contact your credit card company and ask them to stop mailing you those checks. And make use of a identity protection services solution in order to protect your identity.
5. Be aware that banks do not change the credit card number when they send out new ones. The expiration date is the only thing that changes. Generally, a credit card that is expired cannot complete a transaction when used in person, but placing an order online, you just need the number on the card and the name of the card holder.
6. Make sure that the back of your credit or debit card is signed. The person ringing up your transaction occasionally compares the card user’s signature with the one on the credit card, especially when a large amount is involved. To prevent unauthorized use of your credit card, sign the back.
7. Pre-approved credit card offers are dangerous just like financial statements. A criminal can very simply get credit with your personal information and those offers. Just like other banking documents, pre-approved offers must be dealt with in the correct way.
8. Try not to use computers in public places like in hotspots, workplaces or public libraries for applying for credit cards online and checking your credit card or bank accounts. You are putting yourself at risk from hackers. Even though you do not make use of public computers, make sure you wipe clean the browser cookies once you logout. Find out more about LifeLock reviews to see if it is the correct service for you.
