How to Stay Protected from Identity Theft

Identity theft may be a frightening prospect, but there are very specific ways that consumers can fight back and protect themselves. Because we know how identity thieves steal sensitive information, we also know which strategies are most important in curbing this crime. People who are interested in identity theft Q&A often find these techniques particularly valuable:

• Sign up for an identity theft prevention service: By enlisting the help of a monitoring service, you will receive 24-hour protection every day of the year. For a small fee, the service provides safety and security, and instant notification if a thief attempts to make you his/her next victim.
• Guard your Social Security number: The most important piece of data to an identity thief is your Social Security number, and as a result you should guard it with your life. That number is the gateway to accounts, passwords, applications and all of your sensitive data. If your SSN is used for any account identification, ask the company to change it immediately and issue a new account number or security question. If you are asked for your SSN and do not want to provide it, don't give it away. Only the most absolutely necessary parties should have that information, and you should never be asked for it online by a legitimate party.
• Trash can be treasure: Think of what you put in the garbage today. An old bank statement? One of those annoying refinance your home now letters? Think of what an identity thief could do with that information. Shred anything, anything that has your name or account number on it. Protect your statements and records. Sign up for electronic statements and billing. If a thief digs through your trash, make sure he/she finds just that - garbage. Don't give them access to your personal information.
• Mail can be outright golden: If trash is valuable to thieves, imagine what information they can glean from your mail! Bank statements, catalogs, solicitations, credit card statements, mortgage paperwork - all of your sensitive documents come through the mail and sit in the mailbox waiting for you to claim them. Many identity theft prevention services work on your behalf to reduce the junk mail that comes to your door. That can quickly cut down on the potentially tantalizing information in your mailbox. Many people also consider signing up for electronic statements and billing, as well as opening up a P.O. box at their local post office. Go with whichever method makes you most comfortable and confident.
• Get suspicious: Be wary of suspect advertisements, e-mails from your bank that look peculiar and any bizarre requests for your personal information. This is called phishing, and identity thieves get an enormous amount of information from people by tricking them. Never give out your password or SSN to someone. Protect your account numbers. Be suspicious, all the time.
• Get crafty: Your passwords should be confusing, intricate and, not your dog's name. Come up with confusing but memorable passwords, and don't give them to anyone.