10 Effective Ways To Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft
Coming up next month is identity fraud prevention week. It runs from the 8th to the 14th of October and is designed to help you protect yourself against different types of fraud. Listed below are 10 different things you can do to protect yourself or your business against identity theft.
#1 Keep Your Eyes Open
Image credit: Sexy Eyes
Be wary of anyone who asks you for personal information such as your name, address, telephone number or bank details. If they are claiming to be someone who you can trust, make sure that they are who they say they are - asking them for some official ID such as a driving license or passport is a good way to do this.
#2 Keep Your Cards Safe
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If you think you have lost your credit card make sure that you report it as lost or stolen straight away - do not take any chances, find out how long it will take for your new card to arrive and as soon as you receive a new one make sure that it is signed immediately. Also be wary of cashiers in shops trying to take your number, make sure that you can see the card at all times.
#3 Check Your Bill Payments
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If your bank or credit card statements do not arrive on time, make sure that you look into this right away - this could mean someone has taken over your account. Also check all of your statements for unusual activity.
#4 Check Your Credit Report
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Get a credit report done on a regular basis to make sure that no credit cards or accounts have been illegally set-up in your name. You can get a credit report done through any of your relevant credit reference agencies - it does not cost a lot of money to do this.
#5 Guard Your Documents
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Keep all of your important documents which contain personal information in a safe place. Limit the number of important documents you carry around with you at any one time. If you are worried about poeple getting into your home/business premises you might want to think about getting a safe or having a burgular alarm installed.
#6 Shred Your Used Documents
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Shredding your documents ensures that fraudsters cannot get personal information about you by going through your rubbish.
#7 Make Sure Your Post Is Secure
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Criminals/fraudsters may try to steel your mail by having it redirected to a different address. Contact your postal service right away if you notice that any letters or bills are not arriving.
#8 Secure Your Phone Line
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It is not that difficult for someone to take control of your telephone by placing another phone on your line or by having your calls redirected. Check with your phone service provider straight away if you think this has happened to you.
#9 Keep Your Contact Information Up-To-Date
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Whenever you move house or change your telephone number, make sure that you update your contact information with all of the relevant companies/organisations.
#10 Make Sure Your Computer Is Secure
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Make sure that your computer has anti-virus software and security patches installed. Change your passwords regularly and if you are using a laptop keep it with you at all times when traveling.
September 6th, 2008 at 1:01 am
Put a security freeze on your credit with the three major credit companies: equifax, transunion and experion
September 6th, 2008 at 3:33 am
there are so much fruad in this word and yes make sure you have everything hidden from other people . Don’t give out your name account to no one even if you trust them they will take you for a ride and spend the lot of your money i been there done that. Yes suck in by friends.
September 6th, 2008 at 6:25 am
Nowadays we are all at so much risk of Identity Theft – we must be always be as careful as possible and take whatever precaution possible to prevent this from happening.
September 6th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Identity theft can be a scary thing. Thanks for these 10 ways to avoid it.
September 6th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
10 Effective Ways To Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft…
Coming up next month is identity fraud prevention week. It runs from the 8th to the 14th of October and is designed to help you protect yourself against different types of fraud. Listed below are 10 different things you can do to protect yourself or yo…
September 6th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
10 Effective Ways To Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft…
Coming up next month is identity fraud prevention week. It runs from the 8th to the 14th of October and is designed to help you protect yourself against different types of fraud. Listed below are 10 different things you can do to protect yourself or yo…
September 6th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
10 Effective Ways To Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft…
Coming up next month is identity fraud prevention week. It runs from the 8th to the 14th of October and is designed to help you protect yourself against different types of fraud. Listed below are 10 different things you can do to protect yourself or yo…
September 6th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
10 Effective Ways To Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft…
Coming up next month is identity fraud prevention week. It runs from the 8th to the 14th of October and is designed to help you protect yourself against different types of fraud. Listed below are 10 different things you can do to protect yourself or yo…
September 6th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
10 Effective Ways To Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft…
Coming up next month is identity fraud prevention week. It runs from the 8th to the 14th of October and is designed to help you protect yourself against different types of fraud. Listed below are 10 different things you can do to protect yourself or yo…
September 6th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
10 Effective Ways To Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft…
Coming up next month is identity fraud prevention week. It runs from the 8th to the 14th of October and is designed to help you protect yourself against different types of fraud. Listed below are 10 different things you can do to protect yourself or yo…
September 11th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Identity Theft is the nightmare that no one wants to live with! We have been fighting it for the almost 12 years that we have been married! We have One listing of a HFC Visa! Mo
Such Thing Exist! It was originally listed in 1997! Re-listed 2 Months before it would have died with 1 number changed! I have sent TONS of documentation showing that it could not be us to this ‘collection’ agency! They Constantly Deny that I have sent AnyThing to them! I am now searching for an Attorney to Sue the 3 main Credit Reporting Agencies on this and to sue this Collection Company! I Pray that no one else has to go through this! It is a True Nightmare! Peace to All and God Bless! Jane.
December 30th, 2008 at 3:59 am
I think a lot of organizations are exploring new ways to become more cost efficient these days. Many big companies often use large amounts of paper in their everyday environments.So they need a paper shredders because Paper shredders are a simple solution to destroying many of the documents and materials that hold private information.Taking simple steps, such as purchasing a paper shredder, can help you avoid a lot of pain and suffering in the future. That seems well worth the small investment.Wanted to compliment on your site, it looks really good.
January 19th, 2009 at 6:20 am
We look for system activity to see if someone was using a file-shredding program–which in itself isn’t illegal or unethical, unless you’re under subpoena or the threat of subpoena,” said Computer Forensics’ Feldman.
January 19th, 2009 at 10:49 am
Home shredders are very helpful as well as cheap there are usually old documents and records related to banking and saving sheets.
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:01 am
If there are many departments in the organization than one shredder is less.
March 6th, 2009 at 12:43 am
Thanks for posting such vital information. I am new to the blogging scene. Any and all pointers are helpful.
March 21st, 2009 at 7:12 am
Identity theft prevention is very important to each and every individual. Be careful in not giving your names, credit card numbers to strangers until and unless you ask them to prove their identity to you. Home and office shredders are very usefull in protecting confidential documents from being leaked out.
March 29th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
A. HALIM…
Finally, after reading several articles about industrial paper shredders your one clarified some things i was confused about them….
April 1st, 2009 at 6:51 am
Hi, I enjoyed reading your post. Paper Shredders have really brought some kind safety to all in the companies and homes. I’ll be waiting for new shredder updates.
April 2nd, 2009 at 5:07 am
Good post. I’ve a lot of posts on shredders. The top-level management in my company has shredders next to their desks. I’m sure in the coming years shredders will be in every home.
April 2nd, 2009 at 10:42 am
Good tips. If you let me do it, I would like to add some more…
For example: #11 Try to turn your house or office into the safest place for you.
I have experience on using security cameras, cash and fire safes, locksmiths… and I have to say that really makes you feel more comfortable if you know that your place is safe.
And #12 Your car should be a safe place as well, when you are carrying information with you.
We all know what happened with some laptops from the Bank of Ireland and all the information they kept there when some employees were driving their cars!
This is a great article, congratulations!
May 29th, 2009 at 9:15 am
This was a really cool trip to your blog keep up blog master. The need of every office and banks and other places is shredder and its true
June 2nd, 2009 at 5:26 am
Hey pal, really awesome post from you. My friend owns a personal shredder and he feels really relaxed when he’s able to get rid of his trash using his shredder.