When a thief gains unauthorized access to your personal information like names, social security, bank cards, passwords, medical insurance information, utility account numbers; is known as identity theft. This information can be used without your knowledge to commit crime and steal from others and all fingers will be pointing at you.
As the days passes by, more and more people are being victimized with their identity stolen from them. The negative impact mostly involves Finance and emotional trauma at the end.
Here are six (6) ways you can protect yourself against identity theft.
1) Do not allow credit card offers from known and unknown company
stop pre-approved credit card offers. Most credit card offers ends up in your mailbox, The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) allows credit reporting agencies including Experian, TransUnion and Equifax to provide credit card companies with a list of people who meet the credit requirements to prequalify for specific cards. Credit card issuers then use this information to send pre-approved or prescreened credit card offers to consumers, also called “firm offers” of credit. This is open a great door for identity theft. In other to protect yourself from all of that, the best way is to opt out. To do that Call toll-free 1-888-5OPTOUT (888-567-8688). Or opt out online at www.optoutprescreen.com.
2) Destroy or Shred any important document.
Credit card statements, pre-approved credit card offers, tax document and any important document containing personal information and private financial information should be Shredded.
3) Monitor your credit report regularly.
Credit monitoring is a way to stay up to date with your credit report to address any suspicious activities and minimize damage to your reputation. When you discover any suspicious activities on your credit report, you should report that promptly to the proper financial institution or vendor before too much damage is done.
4) Check your mail daily.
Mail theft is another way your personal information can be stolen, a daily checking of your mails limit this from happening. You can look in the white pages under Government Services or call 1-800-ASK-USPS.
5) Your social media platform can be an open door.
Avoid sharing personal and or sensitive content on social media, like names of all your family members, your kids, phone numbers, or any private financial information. You have to be mysterious on social media, for it is a highway for easy access to your personal information.
6) Use strong password.
A stolen password can open doors for identity theft, which can be used to steal personal information. An attacker can easy logged into your computer or website containing your personal information. Try to use long password, with mix character, uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
While there are many more ways to be protected from identity theft, we are now in the age of advance communication and technology, it becomes even more difficult to protect completely from identity theft. It is very important to continue to educate yourself. Be caution and know that your reputation and your personal information can be abuse, is left to you to safeguard yourself and family from identity theft.