Limit your risk of ID theft by being prepared

October 11, 2010 – 11:59 am

For most of us, the thought of someone sifting through our trash, brazenly stealing our mail or hijacking our wallets makes us infuriated. But it can also make us feel downright helpless.

In this day and age, with all the Internet commerce that goes on, as well as social network sites, blogging, and the fact that everyone asks for your personal information and then enters it into their own databases, it’s guaranteed that your personal information is “out there.”

So if it’s just “out there,” how can you protect it. While identity theft is certainly a risk none of us can avoid, we can all do things to reduce the risk of becoming a victim.

• Either purchase a locking mailbox or have a mail slot installed. For even more security, consider getting a post office box. An unlocked box provides access to extremely valuable information.

• Shred all financial documents and anything with your name or other identifying information. This includes bank or credit card statements, loan statements, receipts and pre-approved credit card offers.

• Treat your Social Security number like it is your child. Protect it at all costs. Don’t freely give it out, and ask for alternatives, if possible. Don’t have your number printed on your checks.

• Don’t give your personal information to telemarketers. Period.

• Don’t click on e-mails from people you don’t know, or on those from people you do know if the subject doesn’t make sense or says something the sender would never say. You have a spam filter – use it.

• Make sure your anti-virus and anti-spyware software is up to date, and that you have a firewall installed.

• Be smart about your passwords. Don’t include any or all of your name, your spouse’s name, your birthday or your favorite sports team as part of the password. A random combination of numbers and letters is best.

Don’t let the risk of identity theft get you down. The most important thing you can do is to be aware of what information you’re giving out and who you are giving it to. All it takes is a little conscious effort to limit your risk of identity theft.

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