Six Ways To Prevent Identity Theft

Here are six ways to prevent identity theft that offer you protection against the fastest growing crime in America today.

Hopefully these six ways to prevent identity theft tips will help make you more aware so you won't become a new victim of this terrible crime.

In 2004, more than 9.9 million Americans fell victim to several different types of identity theft scams, that cost them nearly $5 billion.


Many people feel completely helpless when they become victims because they never thought it would happen to them.


Here are six most common ways to prevent identity theft.

1. Shred any documents you receive that contain personal information. This is mostly credit card receipts and pre-approved credit applications. This important tip alone can offer you more protection against identity theft than any other suggestion here.

2. Never give personal information to people over the phone, on the Internet or through the mail. Some identity thieves will claim to be from the government, your bank or even law enforcement. Keeping your personal information private is also one of the best ways to prevent identity theft.

3. Check your credit reports from all three major credit bureaus at least once a year and make sure that everything is accurate. If you find an error, dispute it immediately for protection against identity theft.

4. Be aware when your bills usually arrive every month and check them over carefully. Thieves can steal your credit card statements and this type of identity theft has been around for decades.

5. Don't use common numbers like your birth date or the last four digits of your Social Security number for your ATM password. If you have done this change it immediately. This is a common mistake and one of the quickest ways to prevent Identity theft.

6. Never give out your Social Security number unless it is absolutely necessary. Your employer, financial institution and doctor need it for identification and tax reporting. But if someone else asks for your Social Security number, always question why they need it.

For maximum protection against identity theft keep any personal information about you private. You will have a much better chance of avoiding this nightmare if you use these six ways to prevent identity theft.

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