How to Avoid Becoming a Victim of Identity Theft

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Request your free credit report from TransUnion

   The three big credit reporting firms can give you a history of activity under your credit profile such as telling you when loan or credit card has been applied for and issued.There are services from the reporting agencies that will contact you every time there is a new application for a loan or credit card or a request for information has been made.
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   Step 2: Experian or Equifax at least once a year and preferably once every six months.

   This can only be done if you feel your ID and personal information has been compromised.
   
   This alert means your information can no longer be sold by the credit bureau to any third party. , This can slow the process of accessing credit easily but will give you added privacy especially when used in conjunction with other precautionary measures. ,,,, This number could be the name of a childhood pet and your old street address.
   
   No one will be granted access to your accounts without having this code so it is truly secure. ,, Name and address is sufficient information. ,,, Assume that every solicitous e-mail is a scam and never send your personal information as a response to an e-mail. , Us a phone number that you know to be official and not the one provided in the solicitous mail. ,,,, One third of identity theft comes from stolen purses, checkbooks or credit cards. ,,,, This will be used as identity verification when purchases are made with the card. ,,,,,,,,,, ,,, Identity theft is most often committed by someone close such as a family member, co-worker, waiter or waitress or within the financial institution. , Verify the situation in person at your banking institution. ,,,, Never reveal too much about yourself.
   
   Facts such as mother's maiden name and last 4 digits of your social security number are not questions to pass time with.
   
   If you feel the need to fill out a survey on Myspace and the like, beware of putting anything more personal than what you order from Starbucks.
   
   The harder an identity thief has to work for your identity, the less likely you (and family members, for that matter) are to be their victim. ,
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   Step 3: Place an “Initial Fraud Alert”

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   Step 4: that lasts 90 days

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   Step 5: on all 3 of your credit reports.

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   Step 6: Obtain a 7 year fraud alert by writing to each of the credit companies showing the initial fraud alert

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   Step 7: confirmation number and some additional information that will be requested.

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   Step 8: Personally read through your financial report to make sure that all loan and credit card requests are from you and not an unknown entity.

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   Step 9: If you are missing a financial statement or bill that should have arrived in the mail then contact your financial institution to check with them in case it has been stolen.

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    Step 10: Actually go to the bank to check your accounts – don’t rely solely on paper statements.

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    Step 11: Establish a personal security code with banks and credit card institutions.

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    Step 12: Pick up new checks from the bank or they could be stolen in the mail

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    Step 13: Never have your Social Security Number printed on your checks.

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    Step 14: Be sure to promptly notify your credit institutions of any change of address to avoid any possible confusion.

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    Step 15: As merchants always use the Address Verification Service to ensure that the shipping address agrees with the address given for the credit card holder.

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    Step 16: Just hit delete.

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    Step 17: If you receive an e-mail from your bank

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    Step 18: credit card company or government agency and it looks legitimate then close the e-mail and contact the business or organization directly.

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    Step 19: Never give out your private information over the telephone unless you have initiated the call.

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    Step 20: Be especially reluctant to give your personal information when an unknown business or individual asks for your social security number

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    Step 21: mother’s maiden name and date of birth.

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    Step 22: It’s important to check your credit report before making major purchases.

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    Step 23: Don’t carry your social security card in your wallet.

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    Step 24: Don’t carry your pin number in your wallet and Be creative when choosing a pin number.

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    Step 25: Immediately cancel your credit cards when you have lost your wallet.

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    Step 26: Clean out your computer hard drive before throwing or giving it away.

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    Step 27: Sign your credit cards when you receive them.

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    Step 28: As a retailers always ask for some form of ID with credit cards.

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    Step 29: Do not use more than two credit cards

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    Step 30: it is easier to monitor them regularly.

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    Step 31: Make sure no one is looking over your shoulder or shoulder surfing while you are using an ATM.

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    Step 32: Look to be sure that there are no additional devices attached to the ATM machine when swiping your card.

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    Step 33: Always send and receive mail through a secure and locked mailbox.

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    Step 34: Write “check ID”

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    Step 35: with a bold marker pen

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    Step 36: on the back of your credit card.

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    Step 37: Try never to use debit or check cards

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    Step 38: it is extremely difficult to recover losses made on these types of card.

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    Step 39: Put sensitive documents such as ID

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    Step 40: Passport and financial accounts in a waterproof envelope and keep them in a safe and secure place for quick evacuation in case of floods

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    Step 41: hurricanes or other natural disasters.

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    Step 42: Keep with your personal documents a list of all your account numbers and contact numbers for each as quick reference if anything is lost or stolen.

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    Step 43: Shred private receipts

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    Step 44: junk mail

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    Step 45: CD before throwing them in the rubbish.'

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    Step 46: Use reliable software to detect and remove Spy-ware or key logging software that could try access your from the web.

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    Step 47: Always buy from reputable on-line sites – phishing sites can often look like the real thing but only be a front image.

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    Step 48: If you suspect something then question the people who have access to your personal information.

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    Step 49: Do not respond to text messages using the name of your bank (or other businesses) asking for confirmation of your details.

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    Step 50: Use a separate web browser for your financial transactions and for browsing the web.

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    Step 51: Be sure to request credit reports for your children as they are ideal victims for identity theft.

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    Step 52: Remove the names of deceased family members from mailing lists

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    Step 53: their details are a good resource for ID thieves.

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    Step 54: Beware of what you put on Myspace 'surveys.'

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    Step 55: Hire a reputable Identity Theft Protection Company

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    Step 56: such as LoudSiren

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    Step 57: LifeLock or TrustedID to work on your behalf if you do not have the patience

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    Step 58: know how or time to take the above listed steps.

Detailed Guide

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