Identity Theft Protection: What You Should Know
By Greg Shuey
Everyone has heard about identity theft because it has been in the news very often. Most people think it can't happen to them but this is far from the truth. Identity thieves don't care whether you are rich or poor and they don't care whether you have good or poor credit. The good news is you can do some things for identity theft protection.
There are a variety of simple things that we don't think about that can do for identity theft protection. When you think about it, people are very used to certain habits that can make them targets for identity theft. What do you do with your junk mail? Do you throw it away or recycle it? Either way you are leaving it around for someone else to pick up.
Thieves will take from a variety of sources. It is not just credit cards they are after, but social security numbers, debit cards, and even phone calling cards. Recently, a General Accounting Office report said that the estimate at least 750,000 people are victims of identity theft every year.
There are many ways that thieves can take your identity. One of the easiest ways is to send you an email from what appears to be your bank or other institution you know that asks you to verify your information. Before you do, get on the phone and ask the bank if they do this because usually they do not.
Another way thieves have gathered information is to go to a restaurant and make a deal with a waiter. The waiter is guaranteed $50 for every credit card they send through a skimmer, which is supplied by the thief. The skimmer is as small as a credit card and a good waiter can process 100 credit cards a night giving your information to the thief.
Although most people have heard how to avoid identity theft there are still people who may not understand what to do. Here are a few ideas for identity theft protection:
-Destroy your private records, credit or bank statements or anything that comes to your home that includes your name.
-Have a locking mailbox or p.o. box for your mail and don't mail anything to do with money from your home.
-Mail envelopes with checks in them at the post office not at home. Thieves can grab your information easily and use the checks again.
-Take your receipts with you. If you don't need a receipt at the gas station or at the ATM, click the no receipt button. If you need a receipt take it with you or it can fall into someone else's hands.
-Put your name on the National Do Not Call Registry list at 1-888-382-1222. This will not keep everyone from calling you but it will cut down those who do. Those who call can be told you are on the registry and they need to stop calling you.
These are simple things that you can do for identity theft protection that are will frustrate identity thieves and help to keep you safe.
About the author
Greg has experience with identity theft and has provided ways for you to have protection against identity theft. Visit Identity Protection Now to learn about different forms of Identity Theft Protection, information, and solutions today. from http://www.FreeArticlesAndContent.com
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