Eight Simple Steps to Protect Your Online Identity
Worried about identity theft? You’re not alone. Identify theft—the violation of privacy through the stealing of personal or financial information—is a growing crime in America.
Many unsuspecting people can easily fall victim to this privacy crime, which can involve Social Security Number (SSN) theft, credit card or debit card theft, credit/debit card number theft, bank Personal Identification Number (PIN) theft, and more.
So how does it happen? Identity thieves can steal personal identification from your mailbox; through “dumpster-diving” (through going the garbage or recycle bin for credit card statements, etc.); through “shoulder surfing” (watching for your PIN while you use the ATM or your credit card number while you make a purchase); and via the Internet.
Thankfully, while there’s no 100%-guaranteed safety net against identity theft and crimes, there are a number of simple steps you can take to protect your identity from thieves and reduce your risk of becoming a victim.
Protect your Social Security Number
Safeguarding your SSN is one way to protect yourself from identity thieves. Don’t carry your card with you. Don’t write the number down on your checks. Never give out your SSN to people or companies with whom you’re not familiar until you confirm their identities and verify their need to know your number.
Protect your PIN
Identity thieves can steal your PIN in a number of different ways. Here’s how to protect yourself:
-don’t carry your PIN with you; memorize it
-don’t write it down
-don’t share your PIN with anyone
-keep it out of others’ views when making a purchase or banking
-change your PIN every year
Protect your cards
Keep a close eye on your credit and debit cards. Take only the ones you’ll need when you’re out; keep the rest in a secure place at home. Report any lost or stolen cards immediately.
Get a shredder—and use it
Dumpster- and recycle bin-diving might be considered nasty, but it’s one surefire way for identity thieves to find “treasure”—e.g., credit card statements that people haven’t bothered to shred or rip up.
Invest in a shredder so you can easily destroy all private records and statements before throwing them out or recycling them. Even without a shredder, you can still rip or cut up your statements.
Monitor your mailbox
Mail theft is more common than you might think. While you might be more inclined to wait expectantly for a check, a letter, a magazine, or a package to arrive, you might be less likely to be keeping track of bills, invoices, bank statements, and credit card solicitations, which all contain personal and financial identifying information.
Empty your mailbox frequently or consider acquiring a lock or P.O. box. You may also want to look into receiving your bills and statements via email. When you’re out of town, have someone pick up your mail for you.
Check your accounts
Be sure to check your bank account and credit card balances on a regular basis; report any suspicious or fraudulent activity as soon as possible. If you bank online, you can check your accounts frequently. If you wait for monthly statements, write down the date of when to expect these in the mail; if a statement doesn’t arrive on time, call your bank.
Avoid the paper trail
Keep all receipts, etc. (from the ATM, credit card purchases, etc.) with you until you don’t need them anymore; at that point, destroy them.
Be smart online
Internet identity theft is growing, so be cautious when online. Update your virus protection software to prevent your computer from being hacked. Avoid downloading files from sources you don’t trust. Be careful about giving out any personal information online—always confirm identities and ensure the use of secure encryption software for online transactions.
