Identity theft protection is Your First-line Against Identity Fraud

by Daryl Plaza

One of the fastest rising crimes in the world today is identity theft. Every year, millions of people worldwide fall victim to this horrendous crime. When a person is the victim of identity theft, it can take years to recover and restore their credit.

Identity theft occurs when a criminal gets a hold of either your credit card number or social security number and your name. With this information, a criminal can wreak havoc on your life. He or she will be able to assume your identity and drain your bank account or max out your credit cards, open new accounts in your name and if they have a criminal history, they can identify themselves as you and your troubles will be worse than you can imagine. They will destroy your life.

This all happens before your next statement comes in. There are ways that you can protect yourself from identity theft. The biggest is just use common sense. If you loose your wallet, and suspect it was stolen, immediately report it to the police, and cancel your credit cards immediately. Your cards will be canceled and new ones mailed to you.

The important thing is not to give the criminal any time to use your cards. Most people know what their social security number is so it is not necessary to carry it with you. It is recommended that you keep your social security card and personal information secured in your home.

Many criminals try to get your personal information by telephone; they will call you stating that they are from either your bank or Credit Card Company and ask you to verify your personal information before they can speak to you further. Keep in mind that these companies have your information already, and will never ask you for your bank account number or your credit card number.

If you are unsure of what to do, ask them to tell you what they have for numbers and you will verify it that way. If a company asks for too much information to be verified, hang up and call your local law enforcement. Virtually all credit card companies and banks have safety protocols that they must follow to insure the integrity of their business.

How can I protect myself?

There are many different ways that you can protect yourself from identity theft. If you get in the habit of doing them daily, you will reduce your chances of becoming a victim of identity theft.

Keep all of your personal information such as your social security card, passport, birth certificate in a locked box or a safe deposit box, it is not recommended that you carry this information unless it is needed. Your social security number defines who you are. It should never be given out to strangers.

Although many companies require a social security number to fill out an application or to register, it is recommended that you ask if you can give your drivers license instead. When you are doing house cleaning, do not throw your old bank or credit card statement, tax documents, or expired credit cards in the trash; shred them.