Here are...Ten Preventative Steps To Help Safeguard Against Identity Theft.
Guard against malicious thieves stealing your identity.
If you receive suspicious billings or items that youdon't recognize. Call and investigate them right away withyour provider. Try to head of any means of fraud before itcan occur.
When you receive financial inquiries or solicitations inthe mail...DON'T just discard them in the trash. Invest in agood crosscut shredder...Don't discard ANY mailsolicitations, fianancial papers, bank statements, invoices,quoates, or any items that may contain information about youor your family members. Don't give would-be thieves anopportunity to gain access to your identity.
Don't give anyone your financial or private information overthe telephone unless you initiated the original phoneconversation and you can verify the person or organizationyou're speaking to.
It's sad, but true in today's world. You must be verycareful not offer ANYONE your social security number, bankaccount number, credit card number, or any private orfinancial information over the phone without first properlyidentifying them. Get their contact phone and call back toverify. Also be careful not to be talking on a cordless orcellular phone....these are NOT secure devices. Anyone witha radio scanner may be able to monitor your conversation!
Protect your ATM cards, Personal Identication Numbers(P.I.N.) Guard against ANYONE gaining posession of of anyATM Cards, Charge Cards, and (PIN) Personal IdentificationNumbers.Check that they are always in your control. Keepaccount numbers, receipts, and contact information in a secure placethat'seasily accessed by you in the event that you identityinformation is breached.
Report any lost, stolen, or missing checks immediately toyour bank. They can then arrange to block payment onspecific check numbers in question. When you receive yourchecks in the mail, always confirm that none are missing.
Make sure to store cancelled checks in a safe place.
If you receive strange or suspicious inquiries asking foryour account information to verify a statement or confirm anaward or prize winnings....call your bank and report thisimmediately.
Times have changed over the years. It is suggested that youno longer attach outgoing mail to your mailbox for pickup.Instead, deliver it directly to an official Post Office orpostal collection box. This is one of the easiest ways athief can steal your identity.
If you notice that your regular bills have stopped coming,find out why. Call the company to verify. Someone couldhave filed a false change of address to re-direct yourinformation to his or her address.
By protecting yourself using these simple steps, you canhelp prevent would be identity theives from accessing andgaining your identity.
These days Identity Theft is making HUGE headlines in theNews. Always be on guard to detect and prevent any would-betheieves from stealing your Identity. No one wants to suffermalicious damages caused by someone posing as you orcleaning out your bank accounts, running up debt on creditcards, or any number of other unauthorized acts.
These threats are REAL ! Hundreds of thousands of peopleare victimized by these crimes every year.
To gain additional information about safety tips around thehome, you may subscribe to a F*REE Newsletter Ezineentitled "Intruder Alert Ezine" published by a 30-yearveteran of Law Enforcement & the Electronic Alarm Industry.Click Here to get your subscription today. You mayunsubscribe at any time.
Ken BurnettPublisher - Intruder Alert Ezine;http://www.intruderalertezine.com
To subscribe to our Ezine, send blank email to: intruderalert@GetResponse.com
Author - "Professional Home Security Secrets-Revealed"http://www.professionalhomesecuritysecrets-revealed.com
