With the economy the way it is anymore and the Internet a way of life and shopping, people need to be a little more wary of who has what information. Protecting yourself should be top priority.
Below are four tips to help prevent identity theft, and if in case identity theft strikes, three steps you need to take to stop financial ruin.
- Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead put photo ID required. This way verification of who you are is confirmed.
- When you write checks-don't use complete account number. On the memo line write the last four digits of your account number. The credit card company knows the rest of you account number. Don't offer more information then necessary.
- Use work telephone number instead of home telephone number. Never use write your social security number on any piece of paper and use your work telephone number as your main contact number for all applications.
- Photocopy all identification and credit cards. Photocopy both sides of drivers' license, credit cards, passport and membership cards. That way you have all telephone numbers, account numbers and contact addresses.
If you become a victim of identity theft follow these next three steps.
- Do you cancel you credit cards? What do you do? Call the company. Remember those photocopies you made…now's the time to pull them out of safe keeping and use them.
- File a police report. Do this as soon as you know the cards are missing. This helps prove to the credit card companies that your claim is legitimate.
- Contact all three credit bureaus. This will place a fraud alert on your name. Also call the Social Security and report your name is in jeopardy.
Equifax- 800-525-6285
Experian (TRW) 888-397-3742
Trans Union 800-680-7289
Social Security Administration (fraud hotline) 800-269-0271
