Identity theft is a serious concern because it is easier than you think for another person to obtain personally identifying information about you. Our high-tech Internet age makes it simpler than ever for someone to collect your name, birth date, credit card numbers, even your Social Security number. Take measures to protect all of your information from potential identity theft to avoid the serious consequences and problems you could face.

Even though technology is one of the easiest and most common ways for your identity to be stolen, thieves can still rely on plain old dumpster diving. Any sensitive papers, even a pay stub or an automatically sent pre-approval for a credit card, that you throw away without shredding, can give an identity thief enough information to start an account in your name that will show up on your credit report. Invest in a paper shredder (you can find them for reasonable prices) and shred any mail you get that has any identifying information that you plan to throw away or recycle.

 

One other non-electronic method of getting your identifying information is when your personal documents are stolen, whether you have been robbed, pickpocketed or merely lost your wallet or purse. This can even extend to stolen mail (which is a federal offense) or someone at your job or even in a hospital who accesses your information and use it for unorthodox purposes. Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do about this type of information theft since most of it is entirely out of your control. Report any credit cards that you have lost or have had stolen to try to mitigate the potential for problems.

A newer and even more nefarious measure to steal your identity is called skimming. A device is attached to a credit card reader or even at ATM that captures your card information. Make sure that all places you swipe your card are simple and do not look like they have anything extra attached to them. ATMs are the easiest places to spot these skimming devices, and avoid and report any you may come across.

 

Phishing is just like it sounds: putting out bait to try to entice your information away from you. There are many fake websites set up to look like legitimate websites that you visit often that will collect your information under false pretenses. Bank websites and email account websites are the most popular sites that phishers imitate. Once they obtain your password, especially if it is to a banking or email account that likely holds sensitive information (although social networking websites are often imitated), you can and will be hacked and your information can now be used to imitate you financially. Always ensure that you are visiting a legitimate website before you type your login and password (many sites have special icons or use the “https” link to ensure that you are accessing a secure page, and all phishing sites look slightly different from the originals and may even have misspellings). Try not to use the same password for anything, but particularly your email and online banking/financial websites. If you find a phishing site, report it to the original website so it can be shut down. If you do fall for a phishing site and realize it quickly, immediately change all of your passwords and monitor your credit report and financial activity as closely as possible.

 

When using wireless Internet access, always make sure it is secure before you log onto any websites with your user info, shop online or send emails including sensitive personal information. A hacker can glean your numbers and passwords if the network isn't secure, so set up your home wirelsss accounts to be password-protected, and if you use WiFi hotspots make sure you know their policies regarding encryption (the scrambling of information over wireless signals), since unencrypted is equal to insecure.

 

Guard your information carefully. Be mindful of shredding papers, monitoring your credit report, and be aware of where and how you transmit or report credit card or bank account numbers or any login information that can lead to your financial records. Prevention is the best cure for identity theft.