Fighting Back:
How to protect yourself from loss due to identity theft
What is Identity Theft?
Identity Theft is when a person, or a group of people obtain your personal identification for their own personal (usually financial) gain
Be Careful On The Internet
The internet is an electronic sea of people and information. While on the internet, be sure not to share any personal data on any sites that seem anything other than reputable. Do your research on the places where you spend your money and enter your data because you NEVER KNOW who or what will end up with your data
Treat Your Trash Carefully
Always make sure that any paper that has your personal data is disposed of correctly. Many Americans have invested in a shredder, or they just burn those particular documents to ensure that nobody gets a hold of it with malicious intents. Never leave your identity up to fate.
Keep A Close Eye On Things
Keep a close eye on bank accounts, wallets, purses, social security cards, i.d. cards, credit and debit cards. Losing track of these items is a very easy way to welcome intruders into your life without even knowing it. Keep your credit cards hidden in your wallet, and check credit scores every chance that you get.
CREDIT SCORES
what are they?
A credit score is a report of how efficient you are with paying of loans. The more responsible you are with your loans, the higher the score, and the more reputable you are with handling money. This works in your favor as credit unions look very highly of people with high credit scores.
If your identity is stolen, your credit score will no doubt take a turn for the worst, and this ruins your credit reputation for the rest of your life. This is why it is extremely important to keep a close eye on your credit reports, and nip a thief in the bud.