Myrtle Beach Computers on Preventing Identity Theft
Your identity is important and needs to be protected. Criminals will use your name, address, social security numbers and credit card information to commit other crimes. You need to pay close attention to your personal information to protect yourself.
Here are some ideas.
Make sure you purchase and use a shredder. You will want to shred all documents that contain any personal information – even direct mail pieces. This will ensure that no one can get information about you or your family.
This may seem obvious, but never loan your credit cards to anyone even family members or close friends. They could lose the card or it may be stolen and it will be days before they realize that it is gone.
Always avoid mail or telephone requests that are promotions offering instant prizes in exchange for your information. Even something as small as asking for your address so they can mail the prize. Often they ask for information that could easily be obtained and then move into more personal information. Once you start talking with them it is easy to give out personal information without realizing it.
Along these same lines is responding to emails requesting even basic information. I am sure you have received the email stating you have inherited money. Most of us know to trash these emails and ignore them. However, other emails seem to be legitimate and appear to come from your bank or other lending institutions. If you think your bank may be contacting you, stop and talk to them – never reply to an email.
Are you a Facebook user? This is a great place for criminals to gather information about you. Check you security settings and make sure that you are not exposing valuable information such as your birth date to the public. You can hide information such as the year of birth if you still want to get those birthday greetings. NEVER add your address to your profile. Even if you change the security to only friends, you are still opening yourself up to danger. Just leave it off. Always remember that what you post is public – not private. Be careful what you “share”.
Avoid keeping passwords, pin numbers or security alarm numbers in places where they can easily be found. I realize that in today’s world there are a lot of numbers to keep track of but keeping them in a secure place will help prevent identity theft.
Identity theft is becoming more and more common and it is impossible to completely insure that you will not be affected. However, taking certain precautions will go a long way. There are companies that offer insurance in the case of identity theft and you will want to do our research prior to selecting the right insurance company.
Your identity is important and needs to be protected. Criminals will use your name, address, social security numbers and credit card information to commit other crimes. You need to pay close attention to your personal information to protect yourself.
Here are some ideas.
Make sure you purchase and use a shredder. You will want to shred all documents that contain any personal information – even direct mail pieces. This will ensure that no one can get information about you or your family.
This may seem obvious, but never loan your credit cards to anyone even family members or close friends. They could lose the card or it may be stolen and it will be days before they realize that it is gone.
Always avoid mail or telephone requests that are promotions offering instant prizes in exchange for your information. Even something as small as asking for your address so they can mail the prize. Often they ask for information that could easily be obtained and then move into more personal information. Once you start talking with them it is easy to give out personal information without realizing it.
Along these same lines is responding to emails requesting even basic information. I am sure you have received the email stating you have inherited money. Most of us know to trash these emails and ignore them. However, other emails seem to be legitimate and appear to come from your bank or other lending institutions. If you think your bank may be contacting you, stop and talk to them – never reply to an email.
Are you a Facebook user? This is a great place for criminals to gather information about you. Check you security settings and make sure that you are not exposing valuable information such as your birth date to the public. You can hide information such as the year of birth if you still want to get those birthday greetings. NEVER add your address to your profile. Even if you change the security to only friends, you are still opening yourself up to danger. Just leave it off. Always remember that what you post is public – not private. Be careful what you “share”.
Avoid keeping passwords, pin numbers or security alarm numbers in places where they can easily be found. I realize that in today’s world there are a lot of numbers to keep track of but keeping them in a secure place will help prevent identity theft.
Identity theft is becoming more and more common and it is impossible to completely insure that you will not be affected. However, taking certain precautions will go a long way. There are companies that offer insurance in the case of identity theft and you will want to do our research prior to selecting the right insurance company.
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