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Don’t Let Fraudsters Steal Your Identity

The Internet has brought many benefits into our lives but it also has a dark side. Fraudsters have realised the technologically unaware are open to scamming. Phising e-mails, viruses, keystroke worms can all be used to get enough of your personal information to steal your identity and apply for credit, loans, mortgages etc. This is in addition to the ‘old fashioned’ methods they can still use.

Identity theft happens when a criminal can acquire enough of your personal information to make a variety of financial transactions in your name with your details. The first you know about it is often when they default on the payments and you are chased for the debt. There are a variety of steps you can take to cut down the risk of identity theft.

  • Don’t throw away junk mail that has your name and address. Shred or burn them.
  • Don’t throw away bank and credit card statements. Shred or burn them. In fact shred or burn any post that has your name and address or other details.
  • Check your credit reports regularly.
  • Don’t give out any personal information over the phone to a cold caller, only if you’ve phoned them on a proper phone number.
  • If you live in an apartment with poor postal facilities, open a PO box instead and have all mail sent there. Letters stolen from communal areas are a common source of identity theft.
  • Report lost or stolen cards straight away.
  • Sign all your cards as they are received.
  • If your card is about to expire and no replacement has been received, contact the card issuer immediately.
  • Collect all receipts for all financial transactions if you use your cards and shred or burn them.
  • Check your bills each month and ensure no unexpected charges appear.
  • Use longer passwords online and don’t use names, dates of birth, child or pet names.

If you suspect you are a victim of ID theft there are several things you should do

  • Contact the card issuer and inform them.
  • Cancel all your other cards and get new ones issued
  • Change all your passwords
  • Contact the police and inform them.

In the US you can also contact US mail for stolen post, the secret service for hacking or counterfeit cards and the federal trade commission identity theft department who can help you with immediate financial and other issues.

Using common sense and not being technologically unaware will protect you against identity theft.

Geoff Jones has been writing on the internet for over 5 years. Visit his latest site to discover the benefits of 0 credit cards and how you can get a bit back using credit cards with rewards.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/personal-finance-articles/dont-let-fraudsters-steal-your-identity-1424306.html

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November 6th, 2009 | Category: Personal Finance | Comments Off
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