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Protect Your Finances From Identity Theft
The words, Identity Theft probably send a chill down your bones. Even to imagine being a victim of identity theft, is threatening. But unfortunately, when people are careless enough, identity theft can go undetected for months or even years until the victim realizes the damage done to their credentials. Due to their busy schedule, people often forget to review new charges that have been added to their accounts. This perhaps with most of us, we usually pay our bills online or have auto pay arrangements through credit cards but neglect to review monthly statements.
Start with the needed requirement of storing your valuable documents in a lock box. The expired driving license might be worthless to you in a minor traffic situation, but this works in favor of an identity theft. So keep that in your lock box and remember to store it in a safe place that is less obvious. The other lock box documents should include current or expired social security numbers, passports and any documents pertaining to citizenship or residency status.
Your social security number is also in the vulnerability list for identity theft. With more and more illegal entries in a country and requiring a social security number to get a job, you social security number is at risk. These numbers are also rarely checked for scam. So by the time you realize that you are at a loss, it is too late. The scammers may use it to open new credit card accounts and the most difficult thing is to know what has happened because the monthly billing statements go wherever the imposter wants.
The desperate criminals are even experts at dumpster diving to access your personal information. So if you do not shred your expired credit cards and loan applications, then consider doing it urgently to prevent identity theft. In addition also reflect on shredding junk mail because these may have your Social Security number or other identifying information. It is a routine work, we make our online monthly payments on time, receive a confirmation e-mail from our lender stating payment had been made and then, don't think about it. This negligent attitude becomes the hidden door for cyber criminals, who have become more interested in this type of crime.
A careless customer fails to consider the mistake in providing his personal information to an unknown source either through e-mails or phone calls. Thus, be alert and don't give out any information to a financial institution where you do not have an account. In addition, remember to check your credit report to ensure that no one has accessed your credit card number.
Start with the needed requirement of storing your valuable documents in a lock box. The expired driving license might be worthless to you in a minor traffic situation, but this works in favor of an identity theft. So keep that in your lock box and remember to store it in a safe place that is less obvious. The other lock box documents should include current or expired social security numbers, passports and any documents pertaining to citizenship or residency status.
Your social security number is also in the vulnerability list for identity theft. With more and more illegal entries in a country and requiring a social security number to get a job, you social security number is at risk. These numbers are also rarely checked for scam. So by the time you realize that you are at a loss, it is too late. The scammers may use it to open new credit card accounts and the most difficult thing is to know what has happened because the monthly billing statements go wherever the imposter wants.
The desperate criminals are even experts at dumpster diving to access your personal information. So if you do not shred your expired credit cards and loan applications, then consider doing it urgently to prevent identity theft. In addition also reflect on shredding junk mail because these may have your Social Security number or other identifying information. It is a routine work, we make our online monthly payments on time, receive a confirmation e-mail from our lender stating payment had been made and then, don't think about it. This negligent attitude becomes the hidden door for cyber criminals, who have become more interested in this type of crime.
A careless customer fails to consider the mistake in providing his personal information to an unknown source either through e-mails or phone calls. Thus, be alert and don't give out any information to a financial institution where you do not have an account. In addition, remember to check your credit report to ensure that no one has accessed your credit card number.
About the Author:
Learn more about identity theft. Stop by Joe Wilson's site where you can find out how to get retirement financial advisor.
