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'Strategies To Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft
Identity theft is a serious crime that
is growing each year. If you're a victim of identity
theft you may spend months, even years, trying to repair
a ruined credit history. A seriously damaged credit
report can compromise your chances of getting a new
job, a bank loan, insurance or even rental housing.
It's even possible to be arrested for a crime you didn't
commit if someone else has used your identity to break
the law.
Unfortunately, many of the methods that
thieves use to steal identities are beyond your control
to guard against. Although it's rare, even store clerks
have been known to use their position to pass along
information to identity thieves. There are some measures
you can take, however, that will make it harder for
a thief to steal your identity.
Protect Your Credit Card Number When Making Purchases
After you make a purchase and your credit
or debit card has been swiped through a credit card
terminal, check to make sure that the printed receipt
hides all but the last 4 digits of your credit card
account number (usually there will be Xs in place of
the first 12 digits). Some terminals still print receipts
that show all 16 digits of an account number, and may
even include the expiration date as well. After your
card is swiped, you're permitted by law to hide the
first 12 digits of your account number on the copy of
the receipt that the vendor keeps. Use any marking pen
that will do the job.
When you go to a restaurant, it's especially
important to make sure that the first 12 digits of your
credit card number are hidden on your receipt. You might
be in the habit of signing it and then leaving the restaurant's
copy on the table after your meal. An identity thief
can easily steal the signed receipt before the waitperson
comes back around to pick it up from the table. Don't
take any chances.
Do You Really Need To Give Your Social Security Number?
Another important way that you can guard
against identity theft is to avoid giving out your social
security number unless it's absolutely required. Although
you need to share your social security number when you
apply for credit or for a bank account, sometimes a
store or an organization will want to use it as an ID
number, simply to identify you within their system.
This is a common practice even though the law says that
social security numbers aren't to be used as ID numbers.
In these situations, use your judgment. There's usually
an alternative if you ask.
Destroy Documents That Contain Sensitive Personal
Information
Buy a paper shredder and use it to destroy
documents you're throwing away which contain personal
information such as credit card numbers, social security
numbers, phone numbers and dates of birth. This is important
to do both at home and at work. Identity thieves aren't
above going through someone's trash to find valuable
personal information that can help them obtain credit
in your name.
If The Worst Happens
If you do become a victim of identity
theft, take the following steps immediately:
Contact your credit card companies,
close your accounts and ask to have new cards issued
to you.
Place a fraud alert on your file with
any one of the three major credit bureaus. The other
two will be notified automatically.
File a police report. You may need it
to show to creditors as proof of the crime.
File a complaint with the FTC, which
maintains a database of identity theft cases used by
law enforcement agencies for their investigations.
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