10 Best Identity Theft Protection Tips

Identity theft in America is a problem that is growing by leaps and bounds with each passing year. Some experts are even calling it an epidemic because of the numbers of people who are being affected by this insidious crime. The best identity theft protection is taking a proactive stance and making it as difficult as possible for the criminals to get their hands on your personal information.

There are ten ways that you can help to foil the bad guys and make their job much more difficult. The bottom line is that the best identity theft protection is following all of these suggestions so that you make yourself an unattractive target and they move on to easier prey.

There are ten ways that you can help to foil the bad guys and make their job much more difficult. The bottom line is that the best identity theft protection is following all of these suggestions so that you make yourself an unattractive target and they move on to easier prey.

Best Identity Theft Protection Tip One: Make sure you take special care to destroy all of your private records and account statements. Shred or tear up any credit card statements, bank account statements, insurance policy paperwork and even credit solicitations that you receive that contains any type of personal information, financial or otherwise.

Best Identity Theft Protection Tip Two: Find a way to keep your mail secure. Pickup your mail immediately after delivery, get a locking mailbox, or a P.O. box so that the crooks can’t get their hands on any of your information by snatching a piece of mail. Don’t put your outgoing payments in your home mailbox for pickup. A thief can steal those and change the payee’s name on your check, not to mention giving them information about where you bank and your account number. Always mail payments at the post office or at other secured drop off points.

Best Identity Theft Protection Tip Three: Protect your Social Security Number at all costs. Never carry your Social Security card with you or any other type of document that might have it, such as a health insurance card. Never put your Social Security number on your checks as that is a primary target and gives them the information they need to access your bank account and your credit report.

Best Identity Theft Protection Tip Four: Never leave behind any kind of paper trail. Be sure you take all receipts from ATMs, credit card transactions, and gas stations and properly destroy them.

Best Identity Theft Protection Tip Five: Don’t ever allow your credit card to be out of your sight, even for a moment. Identity thieves are well-practiced and fast! Always keep your eyes glued to your card and if that is not possible then pay with cash.

Best Identity Theft Protection Tip Six: Be aware of who you are dealing with. If someone contact you and asks for any personal, private identity information or financial information do not provide them with any information until you know exactly who they are, what company they are with, and the purpose of their call. If you believe the call is legitimate, look up the company contact information in your records or online and call them back. Confirm and verify what you were told and then proceed to give your information when you are satisfied that you are talking to an authorized representative.

Best Identity Theft Protection Tip Seven: Have your name removed from marketing lists. You can significantly reduce the amount of junk mail you receive, including pitches for new credit cards by contacting the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) for instructions. You can also sign up for the national Do-Not-Call registry at 888–382–1222 to cut down on the telemarketing calls you receive. However, this will not stop your own credit card companies, or other companies you are a customer with, from calling you.

Best Identity Theft Protection Tip Eight: Be extremely protective of your personal information and who you share it with. Ask any representative who asks for your Social Security number, driver’s license number or birth-date if the information is absolutely necessary. If it is, request complete information about their privacy policy and if they can flag your account to be sure your information is never shared.

Best Identity Theft Protection Tip Nine: Keep a close eye on your credit report. Review your report at least once a year and more frequently if you suspect that there is anything suspicious going on with your accounts. If you notice any suspicious activity contact your credit card company immediately and as about their policies on how to report identity theft. There are also credit protection services which monitor your credit report and will alert you of changes on your report and can also help with information about investigating identity theft.

Best Identity Theft Protection Tip Ten: Take time to scrutinize your credit card and bank statements very carefully. Make sure you recognize the purchases and transactions listed and contact the company immediately if you suspect a problem.

Also check best identity theft protection services.

Carefully following these ten steps are the best identity theft protection steps that you can take, but even at that there is no rock-solid guarantee that you won’t end up being a victim of identity theft. As identity theft in American continues to be a vexing problem for millions of people, you should do all you can to be proactive. In addition, learn how to report identity theft by contacting your bank and credit card companies so that you can act quickly in case you end up having your identity ripped off.

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