Many of the methods that thieves use to take identities are beyond your control to protect against. Although it is rare, even store clerks have been known to use their status to pass along info to identity thieves. There are some measures you can take, however, that will make it harder for a thief to steal your identity.

Protect Your Credit Card Number After It Has Been Swiped Through A Terminal

Protect your credit card number after It has been swiped when buying items, insure that the printed receipt masks all but the last 4 digits of your credit card account number (usually there will be Xs in place of the first 12 digits). There are terminals still print receipts that show all 16 digits of an account number, and may even include the expiration date as well. After your card is swiped, you’re permitted by law to hide the first 12 digits of your account number on the copy of the receipt that the vendor keeps. Use any marking pen that will do the job.

When you go to a restaurant, it’s especially important to make sure that the first 12 digits of your credit card number are hidden on your receipt. You are probable in the habit of signing it and then leaving the restaurant’s copy on the table after your dinner. An identity thief can take the signed receipt before the waiter comes back around to pick it up from the table.

Do You Really Need To Give Your Social Security Number?

One way that you can defend against identity theft is to not give out your social security number unless it is absolutely necessary. You need to provide your social security number when you apply for credit or for a bank account, sometimes an organization will want to use it as an ID number, simply to identify you within their system. This is a common practice even though the law says that social security numbers aren’t to be used as ID numbers. In these situations, use your judgment. There’s usually an alternative if you ask.

Destroy Documents That Contain Sensitive Personal Information

Buy a paper shredder and use it to destroy documents you’re throwing away which contain personal information such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, phone numbers and dates of birth. This is important to do both at home and at work. Identity thieves aren’t above going through someone’s trash to find valuable personal information that can help them obtain credit in your name.

If you do become a victim of computer identity theft, take these steps immediately. Contact credit card companies, shut off your accounts and ask to have new cards issued to you. Place a fraud alert on your file with any one of the three major credit bureaus. The other two will be notified automatically. File a police report. You may need it to show to creditors as proof of the crime.

All it takes is one single solitary check , bank statement or charge card bill receipt or statement out in open for a quick snatch , or laying in wait for the paper shredder and your villain is off to the races – to rip you off. Only use electronic e-banking , e-commerce and online financial statements and billings and think you are immune. Think of all the paper trails you leave behind when you print out these documents easy for convenient reading, comparison and tallying or for your personal financial recording or simply just for tracking orders that you have completed online.

While its true that checks are being used less and less, these financial instruments sure provide a quick and easy route for criminal acts of forgery. Add bank deposit slips to this listing. Its no secret to those in the criminal trade that these money records are often if not usually encoded with your personal or business account number or numbers.

Take steps to protect yourself from this torrent and plague of modern criminal activity – that is “identity theft”.

Next in line ” when addressing checks avoid making checks payable to cash, bearer or holder. Never leave the payee space blank. In the same vein if a check is endorsed, that is signed on the reverse back side; this check is now cash-able and indeed is almost as good as cash. Thus make it a solid practice never to endorse checks until you are ready to cash or deposit them.

Have a payment to make by paper. Fill out the recipient fully and completely. Even if possible include their physical address or phone number. Never leave your payment form payee designated area blank or empty. Keep your check books and financial records safe and away from prying eyes. Why temp those with criminal intent or those with low moral fiber to acquire the tools with which to attack your personal financial reputation and treasure. Keep those checks, check books, as well as financial records away safety and privately out of site and range of pilfering and pilferage. You can never be too safe when it comes to protection from identity theft and thefts.

It can be said that a few moments of prevention can simplify years of almost abject terror. Many a casualty or casualties of this modern “faceless ” crime report a feeling of helplessness as they try to put their lives back together after the deluge of financial attacks. Worse yet no one – at their bank , credit card companies , the police authorities or even their lawyer or financial counselors seem to believe them fully. Time spent ahead of events to prevent personal or corporate business identity theft pays the best investment rates of all.

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