12 tips to prevent identity theft

September 12, 2012

To keep someone from stealing your identity, some simple precautions and these twelve steps may be able to help you, according to ehow.com.

(1) Protect your PIN numbers, especially at ATMs. Try to memorize your PIN number.

(2) Change your passwords often, at least every six months.

(3) Get the mail from your mailbox promptly. If you find out that a forwarding order has been placed on your mail, go to the post office to check the signature and cancel the order.

(4) Do not give your credit card or Social Security numbers to an unsolicited caller.

(5) Tear up (or shred) credit card receipts and any other items with personal information on them before throwing them away.

(6) Check your credit report regularly for fraudulent information and report any errors to the credit bureau immediately.

(7) Report stolen credit cards immediately.

(8) Carefully review your bank and credit card statements, making sure that you can account for every transaction.

(9) Protect your Social Security number.

(10) Use pass words on your mobile technology such as smartphones, iPads, and laptops.

(11) Use a credit monitoring service, usually through one of the three major credit bureaus.

(12) If a relative dies, do not toss out his/her unused checks or other personal documents.

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