Preventing Identity Theft

Keeping Safe from ID Thieves

Despite your unique life experiences and personalities, the government and many businesses define your existence and identity through numbers, statistics and other non-relevant data.

With internet allowing private information to travel more freely, identity thieves are finding creative ways to steal your information. There are ways to protect yourself against identity theft.

Keep your social security number and financial info safe. This is the most basic step to guarding yourself against ID thieves. Don't give out your bank information unless you are paying for something and you are one hundred percent sure you know what you are paying for. Though many companies use your social security number for verifying your identification, always try to explore an alternative. If you must verify your information, use a password, security question or your date of birth, date of last deposit, etc. Some insurance companies and state DMVs use your driver’s license number to locate your social security number to identify you.

Beware of lists. Your information is passed via credit bureaus and other data collecting companies. As a result, you are bombarded with preapproved credit card offers, phone calls and tempting, yet pesky promotional checks. If you are receiving phone calls to verify the information the company should already have, be on guard. Before, verifying private information, contact the company directly, to confirm. If you are tired of getting promotional checks and preapproved credit cards, call the credit reporting industry opt in and out program at 1.888.567.8688.

Keep up with your credit reports. You are entitled to one free credit report per credit bureau, per year. Check your credit report annually for any unrecognizable or unauthorized accounts. Checking your own credit report via sites like annualcreditreport.com does not affect your credit score.

Properly dispose of your information. Banks shred their paper garbage and occasionally they may have a community shred day. Ask your local bank to see if they have a community shred day. Cut up all closed credit and debit cards, even un-activated promotional cards. Don’t forget to shred all of your promotional checks. Dumpster divers can activate a credit card account or find and cash a promotional check and while they get the cash from the check your checking account is hit with a monthly charge for activating a service.

If you have had your Identity stolen, contact www.icreditinc.com. Credit Repair Professionals will get you an accurate credit report or you pay nothing!