Posts Tagged ‘prevent’

These days, there is no bigger threat to your financial security than identity theft. It is alarming how many ways those who would seek to defraud you are finding to get at your sensitive information. Here are a few ways you can help prevent identity theft from ever happening.

1. Get A Paper Shredder: This is the easiest way of all to protect your sensitive information. In fact, it is almost unthinkable that you would still be merely throwing away or recycling anything that has your personal information on it. It should go without saying that all of your credit card and bank statements, if they are not filed, should be destroyed by a shredding, by you, on site. One item that also needs to be destroyed, that might go unnoticed, however, is credit card applications. They can often fall into the wrong hands and be used by someone else to obtain credit in your name. To the shredder with them!
2. Protect your PIN: Whenever you use an ATM or a debit card at a grocery store, it wouldn’t hurt to take a quick look over your shoulder to make sure that no one is watching you key in your secret code number. There is no end to the damage a criminal can do armed only with your name and PIN.
3. Keep The Check Out Of The Mail: If at all possible, have checks you have coming in directly deposited to your bank account. Conversely, if you still use personal checks to pay your bills, take them to the post office, or put them in a US mail box yourself. Identity thieves love to watch for people to put out their mail and then steal it before the mail person arrives to pick it up.
4. Check Your Monthly Statements: Often, identity thieves will make purchases with your accounts that are so small you may not notice them right away. Look at your statement closely for anything you may not have purchased. If you notice anything that you don’t recognize investigate it further. Don’t be afraid to call your bank or the credit card company and ask questions about a specific transaction.
5. Carry The Bare Minimum With You: You should have your social security number memorized, and if you don’t, do it now. There is no reason to keep the card in your wallet, and the same rule applies to any credit cards you don’t use. If your wallet or purse is stolen you don’t want the thieves to have your SSN or access to a huge number of credit cards.
6. Get To Know FACTA: In 2005, the government put in place regulations that require businesses to destroy any sensitive information derived from their clients or customers before throwing it away. Known as the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, it was put in place to help ensure that identity thieves-or anyone else for that matter– can’t get their hands on any of your confidential information. Though it is likely that the people you do business with are in compliance with the law, is doesn’t hurt to ask. Just as you should have a shredder, those whom you do business with should too.

Again, the easiest way to make sure that your most sensitive information doesn’t fall into the wrong hands is to destroy it. If everyone used a shredder, it is safe to say that identity theft would happen a lot less often. Follow these six simple steps and help protect yourself from identity theft today.

Identity Theft Data Breaches Triple in 2007 www.IDTheftSecurity.com

Take steps to prevent becoming the victim of identity theft
It seems that more and more people I know personally have been victims of identify theft in one way or another. What steps can I take to prevent this from happening to me? One of the most insidious crimes of…

Read more on New Orleans Times-Picayune

Here’s the story about a year ago, I took out a payday loan from a company called BIG loans. After I had already taken out the loan I found out the company was fake and just out to take people’s money. So I borrowed 300.00 and I ended up paying over 600.00 in interest and eventually closed the account. Well these people do not stop calling me telling me I still owe them ridiculous amounts of money and they have my bank information and they just keep taking money out. I have tried to tell them that he loan is paid off and that I will not pay them any more money but they don’t listen. I have also talked to my bank and they tell me since I gave them permission to debit my account when I had the loan they cannot stop them from debiting my account. I am furious at them and my bank and now I cannot close my account unless I pay all the fees that they (BIG) have been taking out. How crappy is that? Is there any other way I can handle this? Oh and they do not stop calling me at my work, I have told them numerous times to call my cell or home and they continue to interrupt me at my job. Please no rude answers, thanks!

NationalCreditReport.com Offers Ways To Prevent Identity Theft From US Census Bureau Scams
Although safe and secure if completed properly, the credit monitoring services company wants consumers to beware when completing their census forms to ensure their identity isn’t compromised

Read more on PRWeb via Yahoo! News

Checking Your Accounts Can Prevent ID Theft
This week is Secure Your ID Week in South Dakota and KSFY is partnering with the Better Business Bureau to make sure your don’t fall victim to one of the fastest growing crimes in the country.

Read more on KSFY Sioux Falls

How to prevent identity theft
Investigators in Georgia-Carolina say crimes involving identity theft are growing.They say a person could have their ID stolen and not even know it. We have a few tips on what you can do to protect yourself from becoming a victim.

Read more on NBC 26 Augusta

Official: Freeze access to credit reports to prevent ID theft
Preventing personal information from being used to steal a person’s identity is possible.

Read more on Poughkeepsie Journal

New job – end of month after unemployment. Need bridge funds to remain in home of four years and not jeopardize new job. Thank you. Question from single woman.

I’m currently writing a paper on identity theft and I was wondering if any bankers or bank tellers out there knew what banks are doing to prevent or reduce identity theft.