Corsair Staff Writers
Published: January 9, 2006
Here are several steps you can take to protect yourself from identity theft.
Don’t carry around more than one credit card. Carry a debit card instead of a check book as debit cards have pin numbers; this makes it more difficult to gain access to your checking account.
Never carry documents such as your passport, social security card or birth certificate unless absolutely necessary.
Keep your wallet or purse in a safe place. Don’t trust people you don’t know with your personal property and if you must leave it, make sure it’s hidden and/or locked away.
Shred personal documents you no longer need. Identity theft can occur if someone has access to documents such as bank statements. Even leaving receipts from credit or debit card purchases undestroyed leaves you vulnerable to thieves.
Be careful when giving out your personal information over the phone or on the computer. If you must give out your information for any reason make sure the company or organization is credible; only give them required information. If you feel uncomfortable sharing all the information, confront them with your problem.
Keep your important documents in a safe place. Keep them out of plain view in your home, but easily accessible incase you become a victim of identity theft. Make sure you have all of the contact numbers, account numbers, and passwords in a safe place.