How to Protect Yourself from Idenity Theft

It's almost impossible for you to keep all your private information private. Whenever you go to a doctor appointment, your health insurance card and driver’s license is photocopied and is available to anyone who opens your folder. A restaurant takes your credit card into the back room to process the transaction and returned some time later, and now they have access to your card and the security number on the back side. If you write checks to pay your credit cards, many people write the account number (credit card number) on the check, which is seen by many people who handle the check. It is almost impossible to eliminate opportunities for identity theft. You can make it harder for the identity thief.

1. Password protect your credit card accounts. Do not use your mother,s maiden name as a password. Thieves know how to get your mother's maiden name by requesting a credit report by saying that they are checking on credit of someone who is going to rent some property from them.   
2. Who needs to know your credit information? Question the reason for and handling of credit information of stores, merchants, creditors, healthcare institutions, government agencies, current and future employers, and educational institutions and ask yourself do they really need the information they are requesting. Don't willingly fill out every blank on an application.   
3. Keep your credit card and social security numbers to yourself. Don't put these numbers on post-its, checks, statements, or envelopes. Only give out your account numbers over the phone if you have made the call. Many people use phishing techniques to get information from you. Even just asking for the last 4 digits of your SSN or the security number on the back of your credit card, give them access to your credit. Tear up or shred pre-approved credit card applications before throwing them away.   
4. Always check your bank and credit card statement. Checking statements each month for fraudulent charges will catch thieves early and report the fraud immediately. If you did not receive your statement, someone may be using a fraudulent change of address or may have stolen your mail. Call the credit card company first and then the post office to see if a change of address has been filed in your name.   
5. Ask for a credit report. Under federal law you are entitled to an annual free credit report from each of the three credit bureaus. Ask for a copy of your credit report once a year from www.annualcreditreport.com . Check for a changed addresses or fraudulent account information. This is the only reason we suggest using the Annual Credit Report website. This website tries to sell FICO score numbers and other services that are deceptive.   

Tips to Protect Your Identity
The information these scam artists want includes:

• Social Security number 
• credit card numbers 
• bank account numbers 
• mailing address 
• driver's license number 
• age 
• home address and phone number 
• health insurance information

Besides the money for which you may be held liable, it takes time—100 hours or more—it takes to clean up your credit.

The single most important piece of advice is that you should never disclose any personal information unless you initiate a service.

Another way to protect yourself from idenity theft is to hire a firm to monitor your credit monthly. This is even more improtant if you or a family member has been a victim of identity theft.

Below is a list of companies that have a high Better Business Bureau ratings and are accredited by a nationally recognized orginization that can help you prevent identity theft. 

Don't wait until you are a victim of idenity theft
PREVENT IT!

LockLife

Identity Truth