Identity theft is a serious crime that can have a lasting impact on your life. It can damage your credit, cost you money and time to fix, and cause emotional stress.
In this article, we’ll share some tips on how you can protect yourself from becoming a victim of identity theft.
Check your credit report regularly for any unauthorized activity
You are entitled to a free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus every year. Reviewing your credit report regularly can help you catch any suspicious or unauthorized activity early on. If you see something on your credit report that doesn’t look right, contact the credit bureau and your financial institution right away.
If you are concerned that you may be a victim of identity theft, you can place a fraud alert or credit freeze on your credit report. A fraud alert is free and will make it more difficult for someone to open new accounts in your name. A credit freeze will prevent lenders from accessing your credit report altogether, making it more difficult for someone to open new accounts in your name. You can place a fraud alert or credit freeze by contacting the three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
Shred all important documents before throwing them away
When you’re getting rid of old documents, be sure to shred them first. This includes items like credit card and bank statements, bills, tax documents, and anything with your Social Security number on it.
You can also buy a paper shredder to keep at home so that you can shred documents as soon as you receive them. This will help you avoid having sensitive information sitting around the house for too long.
Be careful about what you post on social media
Identity thieves can use information from your social media accounts to steal your identity. Be careful about what you post and make sure your privacy settings are set to limit who can see your information.
For example, you may want to avoid posting photos that include your home address or phone number. And, be careful about which friends and family members you allow to see your posts.
Keep your personal information safe
When you’re sharing personal information, make sure you’re doing so in a safe and secure way. Never give out your Social Security number, credit card number, or bank account number to anyone unless you’re sure they’re legitimate and have a need for the information. And, be careful about what personal information you share on public websites and in social media posts.
Identity thieves can use this information to steal your identity. If you’re ever asked to provide personal information in an email or over the phone, be wary. These are common scams that identity thieves use to collect information. Only provide personal information if you’re sure you’re dealing with a legitimate company and you’ve initiated the contact.
Use strong passwords and keep them safe
When creating passwords for your online accounts, make sure they are strong and unique. A strong password is at least 8 characters long and includes a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Never use the same password for all of your accounts. If a hacker gets their hands on one of your passwords, they could then access all of your other accounts.
And, don’t store your passwords in a text file on your computer or write them down where someone could find them. Instead, use a password manager to store your passwords in an encrypted format. Never click on links in these emails or texts. And, don’t reply to them with any personal information.
lost wallet what to do
If you lose your wallet, the first thing you should do is cancel all of your credit cards and debit cards. You can do this by calling the customer service number for each card issuer. Then, file a report with the police and start searching for your wallet.