8 Things to Consider to Avoid Identity Theft

1. Refrain from writing checks from your personal account to people whom you are not acquainted with. Instead, provide cash, a cashiers check or using Western Union. Although you might not use online banking, an unauthorized person can remove funds from your accounts using an online service.

2. Before getting rid of account statements, you should be familiar with this – people who steal identities cannot go into your house or office. Rather, they go through your trash cans for important information, and often, they find what they are looking for, so obtain a paper shredder. You should also consider using a identity theft security product.

3. Sign up for paper statements. Most financial institutions deliver customer statements via standard mail. The statements contains just about all of your banking information and there is nothing stopping someone from opening it.

4. You will frequently get checks from your credit card company in regular mail. These can be incredible simple to turn into cold hard cash. Contact your credit card company and ask them to quit sending you those checks. Consider using a stolen identity protection solution in order to protect your identity.

5. You should know that credit card companies sometimes do not replace the credit card number when they send you a new one. The expiration date is the only thing that changes. Undoubtedly, a credit card that is expired cannot complete a transaction when used in person, but placing an order online, you just need the card number and the name of the card holder.

6. Make sure that the back of your credit card or debit card is signed. A store clerk occasionally compares the card user’s signature with the one on the back of the card, particularly when a huge transaction is involved. To prevent unauthorized use of your credit card, write your signature at the back.

7. Pre-approved credit card offers are something that should concern you much like financial statements. A criminal can very easily get credit using your name and those offers. Just like other banking paperwork, pre-approved offer mailings should be dealt with in the appropriate manner.

8. Try not to use computers in public places like in hotspots, at work or other public places when signing up for credit cards on the Internet and doing online baking. They can be accessed easily by hackers. Even though you do not utilize public computers, ensure that you clear the browser cookies after you sign off. Find out more about Life Lock to see they have the correct solution for you.

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