9 Sensible Steps To Prevent Identity Theft BEFORE It Happens by
Marige O'Brien
Unfortunately, identity theft has become the crime of the new millenium. Though
credit card companies and various agencies work to prevent it, it is,
ultimately, the responsibility of each individual to take their own
precautionary measures against this crime.
Fortunately, there are some simple steps that can be taken, even today, to
protect ourselves and, better still, prevent a theft from taking place at all.
Below are 11 recommended steps that anyone can take, today, to prevent this
from happening or to lessen the effects if it has already happened.
At the end of this article is a list of telephone numbers EVERYONE should keep
on file.
PREVENTION 1. When ordering checks never put your full name on them, only your
first initial and last name. If your checkbook is stolen the thief will not
know how you sign your checks. But, because your bank keeps a copy of your
signature on file, it will and can stop the payment of checks with forged
signatures.
2. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put
the whole account number on the "For" line. Your check passes through many
hands, both at the credit card company and at the bank, anyone of which has
access to all the information on your check, as well as your credit card
number. Instead, put only the last four digits of the account number, which is
sufficient for the credit card company to identify your account.
3. Put your WORK phone number on your checks instead of your home phone number.
And, if you have a PO Box use that instead of your home address. If you do not
have a PO Box, use your work address. In this way, a thief cannot gain access
to other accounts you have, some of which use the the name-address-telephone
number combination for verification.
4. NEVER pre-print your social security or driver's license numbers on your
checks. You can add it, if necessary. But if you have it printed, anyone can
get it.
5. Do NOT sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put "PHOTO ID REQUIRED"
in the signature area or just leave it blank. To be really dilligent, while
paying, if the clerk does not ask for a photo ID, make mention of this and
insist on showing it. It will teach them to be more dilligent as well.
6. Be dilligent. In rural areas, one way a thief can steal your identity is
through your mail delivery. Though it is a Federal crime to go into someone
else's mailbox, even to put something IN it, many mailboxes are left unattended
for hours a day after the mail arrives. If you are missing any bills,
especially a combination of utility and credit card bills, contact the
companies immediately. With this combination thieves have been known to put in
a "change of address" as they pay the minimum on a bill, then call and have a
new card issued with the new address, even a new name on a secondary card.
Within a week, the thief may be using your credit card without ANYTHING
APPEARING TO HAVE BEEN STOLEN.
7. While traveling abroad, keep a photocopy of your passport with you. If the
original is stolen, you can take the copy to the local consul and prevent it
from being used again.
8. Photocopy both sides of the entire contents of your wallet, including
driver's license, social security card, etc. Keep these copies in a safe place
so that, if your wallet is lost or stolen, you have a quick inventory of what
was in it. Write the contact information for each company/agency with this
copy-- the sooner you can report the theft, the better. Having the combination
of your SSN and Driv Lic, as well as your credit card information and address,
thieves can do more than simply make purchases. They can also get MORE credit
cards, made out in their own name, make major purchases, such as vehicles, even
apply for bank loans-- all in your name. Remember, time is of the essence.
9. Even online identities must be protected, especially email addresses related
to individual websites. Spammers use robots to comb the internet for email
addresses like these, then insert your email address in the "from" section of
their Spam, thus avoiding detection or causing the complaints to be reverted to
you. Scammers use this information as the contact email for disreputable sales,
such as in auction sites like eBay. There are simple, free programs available
(such as the scrambler at acme-web-design.info) that will scramble the email
addresses on websites.
PROTECTION, POST THREAT If or when your credit cards or checkbook are lost or
stolen there are still several steps you can take to lessen the severity of the
theft. Most of all, the faster you act, the less you will suffer. Identity
thieves know they are working against the clock and will dump your information
as soon as they sense that the theft has been detected. If you're very
dilligent, you may escape with little or no damage.
1. Call the 3 national credit reporting organizations (these telephone numbers
are listed below) immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social
Security number. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your
information was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new
credit or charges.
2. File a police report immediately within the jurisdiction where your wallet
stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is a first
step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).
3. Alert the credit card companies and your bank personally.
4. Sign Up with a reputable identity theft prevention service. Don't assume you
are part of one just because your credit card company has some protection
available. This only protects your account with THEM. These companies will
collect all the necessary information from you and, with one call, most or all
of the steps, above, will be handled by them.
Below are the contact numbers you need When your wallet has been stolen. The
first three are the major credit agencies, and the fourth is the fraud line at
the Social Security Administration. A driver's license or passport will be
reported when the police are notified.
1. Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
2. Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
3. Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
4.) Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271
Though Identity theft is one of the worst crimes of our time, these simple steps
and pre-cautions can save the average consumer months, if not years, of grief
and very real damage to their financial status. No one is safe.--mo
About the Author
Marige O'Brien works as a writer, web designer and Internet Marketer. Visit her
Website, Tracker Mo's Den for
information about the business opportunities and etools she recommends.
