| Identity theft is becoming an increasingly | | | | less easy for thieves to lock onto or guess |
| frequent problem among people of all shapes, | | | | frequent changes. It is also suggested not to |
| sizes, ages, and nationalities, who are | | | | use the same passwords. Also, it is not |
| living in locations spread across the world. | | | | advised to select passwords that can be |
| The theft of one's identity is | | | | directly connected to you, such as your last |
| non-discriminating, as clever criminals find | | | | name. Use passwords that contain both upper |
| new and improved ways of profiting off of | | | | and lower case letters, as well as 1 or 2 |
| another's loss and misfortune. | | | | numbers. |
| | | | |
| In the end, a complete invasion of privacy | | | | 3. It is important to quickly remove mail |
| often takes place, where identity thieves are | | | | from the mailbox, as criminals are known to |
| able to drain entire bank accounts, steal | | | | forge signatures on credit applications. If |
| credit card numbers, use driver's licenses to | | | | you find you have stopped receiving mail, |
| commit crimes; and steal important | | | | call the post office because someone may have |
| information from computers. To prevent | | | | signed a release for the forwarding of your |
| identity theft, it is highly recommended to | | | | mail to another location. |
| follow a few simple procedures to boost your | | | | |
| protection level against such a widespread | | | | 4. Over the telephone, you never know who is |
| crime. | | | | calling you; therefore never give your credit |
| | | | card number, Social Security number, or other |
| Identity theft criminals use a wide-range of | | | | personal information to an unsolicited |
| techniques to steal private information for | | | | caller. |
| their own personal use and gain. One of the | | | | |
| most talked about forms of identity theft is | | | | 5. Once you are done with credit card |
| executed across the Internet, as individuals | | | | receipts, unused loan applications, and other |
| trick others into downloading a wide range of | | | | paperwork containing personal information, |
| spyware, which is then used to transmit | | | | tear them up or use a shredder so thieves |
| information stored on a computer. This may | | | | rummaging through the garbage are unable to |
| include the usernames and passwords | | | | retrieve personal details. |
| associated with online banking accounts. With | | | | |
| this information, a thief is then able to | | | | 6. Make it a habit to review your credit |
| intercept bank transactions and steal money | | | | report and check for false accounts and other |
| from unsuspecting victims. | | | | information. When you spot an error, you |
| | | | should immediately report it to the credit |
| In order to efficiently prevent identity | | | | bureau. |
| theft, it is important for people to | | | | |
| recognize all of the techniques a criminal | | | | 7. Do not delay in reporting stolen credit |
| may use. Some individuals steal postal | | | | cards. |
| correspondences and fill out credit cards | | | | |
| under another's name. A stolen wallet also | | | | 8. You may prevent identity theft by |
| serves as the perfect gateway for thieves, as | | | | carefully analyzing your credit card and bank |
| driver's licenses, credit cards, birth | | | | statements to make sure there are no mistakes |
| certificates, Social Security cards, job | | | | on your bills. |
| identification, and other photo ID are common | | | | |
| tools of identity theft. There are even | | | | 9. When a relative passes away, it is |
| criminals who dig in dumpsters and garbage | | | | important to properly shred unused checks and |
| cans for discarded bank statements, credit | | | | other personal documents because identity |
| card bills, and other identifying pieces of | | | | thieves also take advantage of the misfortune |
| information. | | | | of the deceased. Entire accounts have been |
| | | | wiped out, loans taken out in their names, |
| To prevent identity theft, it is highly | | | | and new credit cards issued. |
| recommended to follow some of the suggestions | | | | |
| listed below: | | | | 10. It is important to exercise extreme |
| | | | caution when dealing with PIN numbers, |
| | | | especially those attached to ATM machines. |
| | | | When these numbers fall into the wrong hands, |
| 1. Prevent identity theft by installing an | | | | individuals are able to withdraw money |
| effective anti-spyware program that creates | | | | without being detected. It is suggested to |
| barriers between your personal information | | | | memorize your PIN number and when you must |
| kept on your computer and third party | | | | write it down - never choose your card or |
| intrusions. | | | | leave the reminder in your wallet or purse. |
| | | | And never use your birthdate as your PIN, as |
| 2. Changing your passwords is often a good | | | | that will be the first one that the thief |
| way to prevent identity theft because it is | | | | will try. |