STOP Thief!: 10 Practical tips to avoid credit card identity theft.
Identity thieves are your modern-day robbers. They take your personal information and use it for their personal gains. It's shocking to know, that although there is a federal law against it, some states do not have a local law. Consequently, it is responsibility to safeguard yourself. Read this article for practical tips on preventing credit card identity
theft, from happening to you.
Household security
Charity begins at home, so does identity theft! Follow the tips below on how to avoid compromising your personal information from home.
1.Secure your documents.
Invest in a fire-proof filing cabinet to store all your important documents (e.g. social security card, credit card information, etc.). For added tips on securing your social security no, check out the Federal Trade Commission's advice at http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/con_minimize.htm#social .
2.Mind your trash disposal.
Believe it or not, desperate individuals will go through your trash and scour what they can, in order to obtain your personal information. Shred documents containing personal information (credit card billings, credit info notices, and the like). Invest in a crosscut shredder (vs. a straight cut), which ensures that destroyed information cannot be
reconstructed.
3.Postal security
Be cautious in sharing your address (home or office) to avoid junk snail mail from clogging your mailbox. If you are going away for a long time, you may request the postal service to withhold deliver of your mail until your return. Call the U.S. Postal Service at 1-800-275-8777 to request a vacation hold.
Internet security
4.Use passwords at all times.
On power-up, logging in, accessing credit card websites and obtaining reports. It is not advisable to store passwords in your computer. Instead write them in a single notebook, which you can store in a secure, filing system together with other important documents.
5.Do not use personal information on passwords.
Avoid using birthdays, addresses or phone numbers in creating a password. Read this advice on creating good passwords: http://www.uni-c.dtu.dk/good_passwords.html .
6.Use a virus protection and anti-spy ware program at all times.
In these Internet day and age, a basic anti-virus program is no longer enough. Spy ware hacks into your computer and installs worms that send e-mails or files without your knowledge. Get software that can detect and protect against unauthorized programs Check out this website for the top-rated anti-virus software
by consumerresearch.com at
http://www.consumersearch.com/www/software/antivirus_software .
7.Set-up a firewall.
For those with high-speed Internet connection (DSL, T1 and the like, not dial-up) make sure you have a firewall set-up. This software prevents unauthorized computers from using your Internet connection.
8.Conduct e-commerce over a secure website.
It is unavoidable to conduct business over the Internet: it is cheaper, faster and more convenient. Unfortunately, it can also be dangerous, especially to the careless. Make sure you conduct transactions only on secure websites. Review the website for their privacy policy
and look for information on safeguarding your credit card.
Personal security
9.Get a regular credit report.
One way to monitor that your identity has not been compromised is to view your credit report.
You may get them for free when:
a.Upon your request, once every 12 months, according to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act. To order your free annual report from one or all the national consumer reporting companies, visit www.annualcreditreport.com, call toll-free 877-322-8228, or complete the
Annual Credit Report Request Form and mail it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.
b.If a credit or financial company takes unfavorable action against you, request a free report within 60 days of receiving notice of the action.
c.If you're unemployed and plan to look for a job within 60 days;
d.If you're on welfare
e.Your report is inaccurate because of fraud.
Or else, to buy a copy of your report, contact:
Equifax: 800-685-1111; www.equifax.com
Experian: 888-EXPERIAN (888-397-3742); www.experian.com
TransUnion: 800-916-8800; www.transunion.com
If you ask, only the last four digits of your Social Security number will appear on your credit reports.
10.Withhold personal information.
Avoid sharing personal facts on the phone, through the mail, or on the Internet unless you are confident with whom you're dealing with. Volunteer to personally provide information at the credit card company's office instead of divulging information on the phone.
Follow these specific steps and stay PROTECTED against credit card identity thieves!
About the Author
About the Author:
Gunnar Berglund has been a "internet- hardworker"
for the last five years He publishes the ebook
"Identity Theft, What's It All About?" at
http://www.creditcardandidentitytheft.com
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