• Protect your social security number. Don’t put your social security number on your checks. Don’t give your social security number to anyone over the phone. Memorize information like, usernames, passwords, mother maiden name, etc….. Don’t write it down anywhere. Safeguard your personal information in a safety deposit box or a gun safe.
• Protect your mail. Open a secure mail box with post office. Don’t receive mail at your place of residence. Bank on-line to keep bank statements out of the mail. Make sure you opt using opt out screen to stop all new credit card offers. If you want a new credit card apply on-line for it. Shred all mail that has any of your personal information on it.
• Protect your ATM card. Don’t give your ATM credit card to waiter or waitress if they take your card where you cannot see them. Beware of skimming devices that capture your information as you enter it. Make sure you use ATM machines that have cameras on them. Cover the keypad as you enter your pin number.
• Review your credit report and statements carefully. Check all your credit card and banking statements for suspicious activity. Make sure you check your credit report often. Most professionals say to check your credit report once a year, we recommend once every 3 months. Identity Theft could happen within a 30 day period. When you pull your credit report you can check for unusual credit inquires.
• Conduct phone and on-line business carefully. Don’t ever give out your credit card or ATM information over the phone. When making purchases over the internet make sure you use your credit card and not your ATM card. Using credit cards over the internet limits your liability.
If you are a vicitim of identity theft after all of this read this article here on idenity theft steps.