Awareness Is The Best Method
Being aware is the key to catching thieves who specialize in identity theft according to most popular identity theft prevention guides. The more you knows about this situation and how the hackers get your information the harder it will become for identity theft to happen. Identity theft prevention guides are extremely helpful, detailing helpful, precise instructions that can be utilized on a daily basis. These easy to implement tips will make you less vulnerable and less of a target. There’s even identity theft prevention applications that can be installed on your personal computer. This software can help safeguard your personal information and prevent thieves from obtaining it.
Steps you can take now (and should be!)
One tip that the majority of identity theft prevention guides agree on is checking on all of your account information and monthly bills. Any accounts that can be accessed from the Internet should be monitored on a semi regular basis to make certain that there is no criminal activity going on. This can help you notice fraudulent activity immediately so that the proper authorities can be made aware, the account shut down or password changed and the proper information forwarded to the credit reporting services. This can also help secure that the individual does not lose all of their hard earned cash or have to pay additional monetary fees due to fraudulent activity.
Safeguarding Your Data
Another excellent tip in identity theft prevention guides is to put all of your confidential personal information in a secure place. If your computer at home stores personal information like password files, credit card information or account information these files should be securely encrypted and protected by a strong password. Encrypting and password protection ensures that the data remains inaccessible if stolen. It also stops someone with direct access to your computer from obtaining this information. Encrypting and password protecting your important information is even more important if this information resides on a laptop. If you are attempting to secure paper documentation, identity theft prevention guides suggest putting them in a locked fireproof lockbox to prevent other people in your home from accessing them. This is urgently important if you have roommates.
Disposing Of Personal Data Properly
Another urgent point is making sure you dispose of outdated bills and other sensitive documentation in a secure way so that criminals cannot look through your garbage to steal it. According to identity theft prevention guides, the bulk of your important information should be shredded making it practically impossible to put it back together. Social Security cards should not be carried in your purse. They should be placed in a secure location or bank safety deposit box.
