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Because so much of your world revolves around computers, cell phones and your driver's license, it is important to pay attention to protecting these pieces of your identity. In addition, any of your financial accounts, credit card and debit card numbers, and personal identification numbers for using the ATM or online banking need to be protected, too.
If someone gets your name, address and a little more personal information, they can use it to become "you." That could mean getting money out of your accounts, charging up big purchases on your credit card or doing other things that can damage your finances.
Also, remember that a lot of personal information may be stored on your cell phone and so never loan it to anyone.
Here are some tips on preventing identity theft:
- Shred anything that has your personal information on it
- Don't carry your social security card with you
- Don't keep sensitive, personal information in your car (i.e. checkbook, endorsed paychecks, account numbers, etc.)
- Photocopy your identification (passport, driver license), credit cards and debit cards so you have something to prove who you are and know who to call to cancel cards
- Monitor your accounts online daily using a secure password
- Do not respond to any e-mails asking for your personal information
- Be cautious whenever giving out any personal information—make sure you know exactly who you’re giving your information to and what it will be used for
If you think you have fallen victim to identity theft, you should file a police report immediately. You should also check your credit reports, notify creditors and dispute any unauthorized transactions as soon as possible. |
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