If you fall victim to identity theft, remember that you don’t have to go it alone. LifeLock is there to help.
After having been through the nightmare of identity theft, you may ask yourself, “How do I protect myself and stay safe afterwards?”
This is a legitimate concern, and the solution is easier than you think. You can make prevention an everyday part of your life by following these simple measures:
• Purchase a cross-cut paper shredder. All documents containing personal information, such as junk mail, credit card receipts, and bank and credit card statements, should be shredded. This will prevent thieves who go through trash from obtaining your personal information.
• When you order checks,, have them delivered to your bank, rather than to your home address.
• When using ATMs and phone cards, be wary of anyone who might be close enough to see your numbers. “Shoulder surfing” is a common way that thieves obtain your personal identification numbers to gain access to your accounts.
• If you order a new credit card, or if your old one has expired and you’re expecting a replacement, make sure it arrives within a reasonable amount of time. If not, contact the creditor to find out when the card was mailed.
• Do not mail checks from your home mailbox. Drop them off instead at the post office or at a secured mailbox. Thieves can take your checks from your home mailbox easily, and with a simple acid wash, change the name of the recipient.
• Never carry your passwords and your Social Security number or card with you. Keep them stored in a safe and secure location.
• You may want to consider opting for a secured and locked mailbox at the post office, rather than an open mailbox at your home.
• Don’t use your mother’s maiden name for any password. It is too easy for thieves to discover and use.
• If you have not used a credit card in at least six months, close the account. Thieves an use that credit all too easily, and if you aren’t using it, chances are, you aren’t monitoring it closely either.
• Make sure anyone you do business with shreds your personal information.
• Do not carry extra credit cards or other identifying information in your wallet.
• Never give your personal information over the phone to people you do not know, including your Social Security number, name, address and date of birth.
• Check your credit reports annually.
• Have your name removed from all promotional lists by contacting Experian, Equifax and TransUnion to opt out of pre-approved offers.
• Never put your phone number or your Social Security number on your checks.
• Obtain credit and bank cards that feature your photo.
• Contact your credit card company, and request that they not print your address, phone number or driver’s license number on your monthly statement.
• Check all of your monthly statements carefully and regularly. If you see anything unusual or suspicious, contact your creditor immediately.
To really lock down your personal information, contact LifeLock. LifeLock will protect your information, even if it falls into the wrong hands. You will be alerted immediately about any identity threats, and LifeLock will help throughout the recovery process, so you never have to go it alone.
Tags: Identity Theft, identity theft prevention, identity theft protection
