How to Protect Yourself from Identity Thieves
The best way to protect yourself against identity thieves is to be aware about their tactics. In this article, let’s take a closer look at their strategies and how you can avoid being vulnerable.
Exercise caution in using Social Networking websites. You may think that posting a few things about yourself on Facebook or Twitter is harmless but Identity Thieves and scammers are always on the alert. Online passwords are usually retrieved by answering challenge questions such as “What is your mother’s maiden name?”, “What is the name of your favorite pet?”, or “Which school did you go to in high school?” So the next time you open your Social Networking account, keep in mind that posting specific details on your profile can leave clues for ID thieves.
Don’t forget to set your Privacy Controls whenever applicable to limit the number of people who can view your page. When choosing a password, avoid using facts that are directly related to your personal life. Strengthen your password by combining letters, numbers, with special characters.
Do not click on links inside unsolicited emails. Identity thieves also send emails that contain links. The email may appear to be from a government agency or a reputable merchant asking the recipient to verify their personal information by filling out an online form. When clicked, the link will lead to a phishing website which is designed to steal all information on the page. If you need to check the website, manually type the complete URL on the address bar of your browser.
People should be wary about opening emails from an unfamiliar sender. Never download attachments no matter how enticing the message seems to be as these may contain a malicious program that can steal information from your personal computer. If you received an email from an unknown sender, delete it from your inbox right away.
Keep an eye on your credit card. When shopping at malls or dining in a restaurant, see to it that your credit card never leaves your sight. Instead of handing out your card to the waiter offer to take the credit card yourself to the counter. Do not let the cashier bring your card to another room as part of “verification process”. All steps that need to be done to ensure that you are the genuine owner of the credit card can be made in front of you. Why is this important?
Identity thieves use “skimming devices” that can scan credit card information in just a few seconds. A skimming device is very small that it can be hidden in a palm of hand. You might not notice that your credit card is already being swiped with a skimming device and all your credit card information have already been stolen.
Take a positive action immediately. What can you do if you suspect to have been a victim of identity theft? You can place your credit report on fraud alert by notifying the three major credit bureaus. You can also freeze your credit report to prevent identity thieves from trying to open accounts using your identity. When your place your report on a freeze, nobody will be able to make an inquiry on your credit unless you request the bureau to “unfreeze” it.
About the Author
Shelly Evans is a freelance writer and loan consultant. The website http://www.badcreditresources.com offers resources that specialize in providing bad credit loans and bad credit cards.
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