How can I prevent identity theft?

September 27, 2010 – 10:37 am

October is National Crime Prevention Month, and Oct. 17-23 is Protect Your Identity Week. While identity theft is a topic that’s on the tips of many tongues, many of those thinking about it aren’t quite sure how to prevent it.

Proactive prevention is crucial to protecting personal information. As a consumer, you want to make it increasingly difficult for a thief to steal your identity. Thieves can steal critical personal information, such as your name, address, telephone number, bank account number, Social Security number and credit card number. Scammers can then put this information to work to apply for loans or services, apply for credit cards, obtain cell phones, and even apply for jobs. They can also commit crimes and obtain health care using your identity.

If you are a victim of identity theft, you can spend months or even years cleaning up the mess it creates. You may even be denied credit, refused loans, lose job opportunities or be arrested for crimes you didn’t commit.

To minimize your risk, you can:

• Secure your personal records. At work, make sure your information is stored properly or shredded. When mailing bills or other documents that contain your personal information, mail them from the post office if you have an unsecured mailbox. Be sure to shred your own sensitive materials.

• Keep an eye on your wallet at all times, particularly when at work or out in public.

• Carry only the personal information and credit or debit cards you need. Store what you don’t need in a secure location.

• Protect your Social Security number. Keep your card in a secure place, and only give out your number when absolutely required.

• Use passwords on your credit cards, bank and telephone accounts. Be sure to use passwords that can’t be easily figured out, using both letters and numbers.

• Be on your guard when you are asked to provide any information via telephone, through the mail or online, even if you have initiated the contact. Verify that the person(s) on the other end are legitimate.

• Protect your computer by using a firewall and a secure browser. Don’t download files from strangers, and maintain current virus protection. Password-protect your personal and financial information.

To be proactive, call LifeLock today. LifeLock will monitor for any credit or non-credit related threats to your personal information, and if any are located, you’ll be notified immediately. A LifeLock representative will take action to be sure your good name is restored.

Receive 30 days free and get a 10 percent discount on enrollment with the LifeLock Promo Code “Defense.”

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