How To Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft

Identity theft is a serious crime that continues to grow. If you
become a victim of identity theft, you may spend months, or
years, trying to repair the damage. A compromised credit report
can ruin your chances of getting a new job, a loan, insurance or
even housing. It's true that it is possible that you could be
arrested for a crime you didn't commit if someone else has used
your identity to break a law.

Unfortunately, many of the methods that thieves use to steal
identities are completely beyond your control. Although it's
rare, some store clerks have been known to use their position to
give or sell information to identity thieves. There are some
measures you can take, however, that will make it harder for them
to steal your identity.

Protect Your Credit Card Number When Making Purchases:

After you make a purchase and your credit or debit card has been
swiped through a credit card terminal, check to make sure that
the printed receipt hides all but the last four digits of your
credit card account number (there will usually be an x in place
of the first twelve digits).

Some credit card terminals do print receipts that show all
sixteen digits of an account number, and may even include the
expiration date! After your card is swiped, you're permitted by
law to hide the first 12 digits of your account number on the
copy of the receipt that the vendor keeps. Use a pen or marker to
cross-out the other numbers completely.

When dining out, it's important to make sure that the first 12
digits of your credit card number are hidden on the receipt. You
might be in the habit of signing it and then leaving the
restaurant's copy on the table after your meal. An identity thief
can steal the signed receipt before the waiter comes back to pick
it up from the table.

Do You Really Need To Give Your Social Security Number?

Avoid giving out your social security number unless it's
absolutely necessary. Although you need to share your social
security number when you apply for credit or for a bank account,
sometimes a store or an organization will want to use it as an ID
number. This is a fairly common practice even though the law says
that social security numbers aren't to be used as ID numbers. In
these situations, use your judgment. There's usually an
alternative if you ask.

Destroy Documents That Contain Sensitive Personal Information:

Buy an office paper shredder and use it to destroy documents
you're discarding which contain personal information like credit
card numbers, social security numbers, phone numbers and birth
dates. Do this both at home and at work.

Identity thieves frequently go through someone's trash to find
personal information that can help them obtain credit in the
victim's name.

If It Happens To You, Take The Following Steps Immediately:

1: Contact your credit card companies, close your accounts and
ask to have new cards issued to you.

2: Place a fraud alert on your file with the three major credit
bureaus (Equifax: 1-800-525-6285, Experian: 1-888-397-3742 &
Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289).

3: File a report with your local police department. You may need
to show creditors a copy of the police report as proof of the
crime.

4: File a complaint with the FTC:
http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/ - They maintain a database of
identity theft cases used by law enforcement agencies for their
investigations.

Mike Nalbone Is The Webmaster At:
http://Online-Background-Check.net Which Provides News,
Information And Resources That Anyone Can Use To Do Online
Investigations And Criminal Background Checks.

This Article Is © 2005 & May Be Published Solely In Its Entirety,
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About the Author

Mike Nalbone Is The Webmaster At:
http://Online-Background-Check.net Which Provides News,
Information And Resources That Anyone Can Use To Do Online
Investigations And Criminal Background Checks.