This whole thing about identity theft creeps you out, right? You are both angry and scared at the thought of someone going through your trash, stealing your mail, or stealing your wallet for your social security number rather than your money. You might even feel powerless.
Even though identity theft is a big problem, there are things you can do to make it less likely that you will be a victim. Here are just a few things you can do to keep your identity safe:
Either buy a mailbox with a lock or have a mail slot put in. You could get a post office box for even more safety. If you don't lock your mailbox, you can get to very important information. Think about it this way: which is more valuable, your $2,000 big-screen TV or the account number and information about your $10,000 Visa card? Because you don't want someone to steal your TV, you don't leave your front door unlocked, right? So, why can't you lock your mailbox?
Shred your bank statements, credit card statements, loan statements, receipts, and anything else that has your name or other information that could be used to find you twice! Run the paper through the shredder and then tear the pieces in different directions by hand. Now, put the shredded pieces into different trash bags. Ultra paranoid? Everything should be set on fire. Seriously.
Think of your social security number as your child. Keep it safe at all costs (all costs may be just a little excessive...better to be alive and an ID theft victim than a dead man with a safe identity). Don't just give it away. Ask for alternatives, if possible. If it meant I could get a loan, I'd give out my Social Security number. I wouldn't give it to someone so they could buy ice cream. A silly example, but it gets the point across. Don't write your SS number on your checks. Don't even let the teller do it. She's just trying to hide her own butt, but she's letting yours show.
Don't tell telemarketers anything about yourself. Period. There are other ways to get a good deal on magazine subscriptions or to give money to charity. Spam emails are the same way, but you don't open those, right?
When it comes to emails, don't open messages from people you don't know. Don't open emails from people you know if the subject line makes no sense or says something the sender would never say. It probably has a virus, maybe one that can look through your computer files and steal your passwords and account numbers. You have a filter to stop spam. Use it.
Yes, you need that $60 anti-virus and internet security subscription every year, especially if you use the internet a lot or have kids. Hackers and people who make viruses work minute by minute, day and night, to steal your money, resources, and information about who you are. In this case, you don't want to save money. $60 a year is a lot less than what it would cost to buy a new computer or fix your credit. Also, make sure these programmes are always up to date. Most can be set to automatically update when you are less likely to be using your computer, like late at night.
Use passwords that make sense. Passwords that use your name, the name of your spouse, your birthday, or the names of your favourite sports teams are almost useless. The best thing is a random mix of letters and numbers. Do you really want to make it hard for people to steal your identity? Hit your hand against the keyboard. Your new password is the answer. Keep the password in a safe file on your computer. Then, when you need it, you can just copy and paste the password. Just make sure to copy something else when you're done to get rid of the password from your clipboard. Or, you can write your hand-smashed result in a notebook and copy it when you need it. The ultimate cost of safety is inconvenience.
Don't let the people who steal your identity get you down. The most important thing you can do is to be aware of what information you share and with whom. Your risk of identity theft can be kept low with just a little bit of effort.
