10 Ways To Stay Safe From Identity Theft


1. Keep bank account numbers and pin numbers private. Avoid writing down account numbers and pin numbers and keep all statements and bank information locked up. Keep your account numbers covered when using them in public and use your body to block anyone from seeing your pin number. Most importantly, do not give your account numbers or pin numbers to anyone.

2. Only do business or make purchases with places that you trust or are reputable.

3. When you receive pre-approved credit card applications and in the mail, rip the application and the enclosed letters up before getting rid of them. Identity thieves will go through the trash and can submit these offers in order to steal your identity and make big purchases in your name which can ruin your credit score.

4. If you use online banking or make purchases online, make sure that your computer has firewall protection and that the anti-virus software is up to date.

5. Never make any online purchases from a website that you are unsure about. Also make sure that encryption is used during the checkout process and that the company has a good privacy policy to not sell your personal information.

6. Avoid giving out personal information to unknown sources. For example, if you get an email from your bank asking you to verify your information with a link listed, do not click on it. Scam artists will often use links that look similar to what you would expect to see coming from your bank. Contact the bank directly to ensure that this is not a scam.

7. Be cautious of unsolicited phone calls and letters from a company trying to sell you something. Most are legitimate but some may be from nefarious sources trying to steal your personal information. Always check to ensure that the company is legitimate, this can be done through the Better Business Bureau or researching the company online.

If you chose to purchase something either send a money order or use your credit card information so that you do not give someone your bank account number. And watch your credit card statement to ensure that no additional charges show up or any other fraudulent activity. In some cases, the credit card company can stop payment or refund your account for any purchases that were not made by you.

8. If the offer seems too good to be true, then it probably is. Beware of any offers that require you to send money in first before you receive a prize. For example, you won a million dollars but first you need to send them 1000 dollars to verify your bank information, or what is termed 'offers in good faith'.

Scam artists prey on your faith in other people to steal your money. If you receive an offer that appears too good to be true either online, in the mail, or over the phone, do some research. A good place to start is to research the company making the offer through their website, checking with the Better Business Bureau or asking the person making the offer some questions. Do not accept the offer until everything checks out. Always remember that offers that appear too good to be true probably are.

9. If you receive an unsolicited offer either through the mail or online, remember to read the fine print. There may be hidden fees or the offer is contingent on you making additional purchases either in the future or at the time.

10. Watch for an interruption of your mail service. This may be a sign that someone is stealing your mail, either from your mailbox or they have redirected your mail to somewhere else. If you suspect that this may be the case, contact your local post office and see if there has been a 'change of address' form filled out for your address. Thieves can redirect your mail in order to obtain bank statements, pre-approved credit card applications or other items and use them to submit in your name and steal your identity.

Remember that protecting your identity is important and can ensure that you maintain a good credit score.