Identity Theft!
It can happen to anyone
What is identity theft?
Identity theft is the theft of personal information. It is easy to prevent this from happening to you. The ways of preventing this is the following:
-Protect your Social Security number and financial information
-Safeguard your purse and wallet, which means to only carry what is needed and to leave your Social Security number or card, birth certificates, or passport at home in a safe place
-Verify a source before providing information
-Be cautious while using the internet, for example, only use verified browsers when making online purchases
-Use safe and unique usernames and passwords so no one will figure them out
-Don't just throw away important mail or trash with personal information on it, dispose of it properly, for example, shred credit card and ATM receipts or keep them in a safe place
-Protect your identity
-Check credit reports
What is a credit report?
A credit report is a report that contains detailed information on a person's credit history, which includes identifying information, credit accounts and loans, bankruptcies and late payments, and recent inquiries. In order to raise your credit score or maintain a high credit score you must do the following:
-Pay your bills on time
-Catch up on missed payments and don't get behind again
-Pay off your debt
-Don't open more new credit cards
-Manage your credit cards responsibly
-Don't just close an account thinking that it will disappear