Identity Theft Prevention
There are probably a hundred small steps we can all take to prevent identity theft from happening to us. So why aren't more of us doing something about it? Because we fall into a sense of complacency. A feeling of "It can never happen to me." That sense of security can cost you. If you're not doing anything to protect yourself from identity theft and you think there are just too many steps to take, why not start with these eleven...
1. Sign Up For an Identity Theft Prevention Service
Services like LifeLock and TrustedID go a long way in helping you protect yourself from identity theft. While they aren't free, they are definitely affordable services. If you don't do anything else to prevent identity theft, at least do this.
2. Shred Documents
Instead of throwing documents away, shred them. If you keep your shredder near your trash it doesn't even have to be a bother. Just run the papers through the shredder instead of tossing them in the trash. Just make sure it's a diamond-cut or "confetti" shredder and not a strip-cut shredder.
3. Protect Your Personal Computer
Make sure your computer is adequately protected. Viruses and spyware are serious threats and put you at a significant risk of identity theft. If you want to save yourself hours of time, countless headaches and quite a bit of dough, make sure you have comprehensive Internet security running on your PC.
4. Don't Write Cheques To Those You Don't Trust
You think accepting cheques from people you don't trust is the problem? Writing cheques to them is just as bad. Your printed cheques have your routing number and account number on them. That's all a criminal needs to drain your bank account dry. If you don't trust someone, do yourself a favor and pay with a money order.
5. Be careful when giving personal information.
Whether on the phone, by mail, or on the Internet, never give anyone your credit card number, Social Insurance Number, or other personal information for a purpose you don't understand. Ask to use other types of identifiers when possible, and don't carry your Social Insurance card. Be sure to keep it in a secure place.
6. Protect your documents and mail.
To stop a thief from going through your trash or recycling bin to get your personal information, tear or shred your charge receipts, credit applications, insurance forms, bank statements, expired charge cards, and preapproved credit offers. Deposit outgoing mail in post office collection boxes or at your local post office. Promptly remove mail from your mailbox after it's delivered. If you plan to go away, call Canada post and request a vacation hold on your mail delivery.
7. Guard your credit cards.
Minimize the information and the number of cards you carry in your wallet. If you lose a card, contact the fraud division of the credit card company. If you apply for a new credit card and it doesn't arrive in a reasonable period, contact the issuer. Watch cashiers when you give them your card for a purchase. Also, when you receive a new card, sign it in permanent ink and activate it immediately. And most of all have a $500 limit on the cards you carry.
8. Pay attention to billing cycles.
Contact lenders immediately if your bills arrive late. A missing bill could mean an identity thief has taken over your credit card account and changed your billing address.
9. Safeguard personal information in your home.
Especially if you are having service work done in your home, employ outside help, or have a roommate.
10. Find out who has access to your information at work.
Be sure to verify that records are kept in a secure location, and are accessible only to employees who have a legitimate reason to access it.
11. Be smart about passwords and PINs.
Memorize your passwords and personal identification numbers instead of carrying them with you. Avoid using easily available information like your mother's maiden name, your birth date, the last four digits of your SIN or your phone number, or a series of consecutive numbers.
So yes, there are a hundred things you can do to protect yourself from identity theft. Don't let that overwhelm you. These eleven are a good start.
