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Article #373: Discover How to Prevent Identity Theft

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The crime of identity theft is probably goes into the shredder.
one of the fastest growing crimes of this Another way this happens is in
century. The reason for that is because restaurants, and unfortunately, even some
far too many people make it way to EASY of the nicer restaurants. Dinner has
to have themselves be a victim of come and gone and you are enjoying the
identity theft, and they do not take the ambiance of this restaurant and the
task of protecting themselves against company of your spouse and perhaps some
identify theft seriously enough. guests. The waiter or waitress brings
What happens in a case of identity theft? the check, and you pick it up, glance at
Basically, the thief "becomes" you, it, then lay it back on the table with
opens loan accounts, charge cards, and your credit card. BIG MISTAKE. What
credit cards in your name, then happens is that your credit card has left
disappears into the sunset, never to be your sight for a period of time - more
seen again. In the meantime, the first than enough time for a possible thief to
that you become aware of it is when you write down your credit card information,
start getting calls from lenders and your expiration date, your CCV code (that
creditors that you have never heard of three or four digit code on the back of
and where you "know" you do not have an your card), and get the bill back to you.
account, asking when you going to start You do not know what has happened to
making payments or is there a problem? your credit card while it was out of your
But by then, it is far too late. sight. Chance is good that nothing is
Let's back up a step. How does identity going to happen with your credit card,
theft occur? Identity theft occurs when but what if it does? You just gave the
a third becomes you. That is done by a thief everything they wanted to start a
thief going through your trash and coming spending spree, and in the online world,
up with something that has your unique all you need is a credit card, expiration
identifiers on it. If you have decent or date, and CCV number.
good credit, you probably get these Do not allow yourself to become a victim
pre-approved cards in the mail all the of identity theft. Be very aware of
time for credit cards and loan accounts. where you are and who you are with. If
What do you do with these offers? Do you it is necessary to pay for a meal like at
simply throw them in the trash? If so, a restaurant with a credit card, ask the
you are putting yourself at risk for waiter to bring the bill to your table.
identify theft, as much of America does. With the rising amount of crime that is
Instead, invest in a small shredder, seen this way, most waiters will think
probably under $50 at Best Buy, Circuit nothing of the request. They can get
City, or your local office supply store, credit authorization just with the
and shred documents such as those. account number, not with CCV or
Anything that has identifiable expiration date. The bottom line is not
information on it other than "Occupant" to make yourself an easy target.






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