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Identity theft is running rampant in our nation. Here are 8 tips on how to make your ID harder to steal.
Never give someone access to your accounts
- Keep user names or passwords for online accounts to yourself
- Don’t let someone else “borrow” your card or be an authorized user
- NEVER tell anyone your debit card’s PIN number
Keep your computer clean
- Check for viruses
- Use a firewall at home
- Use a VPN when in public. Spotflux.com is a free program for Windows and Mac
Don’t click on web links
- Don’t let them get through your firewall with a “Is this you in the picture” or “someone is saying nasty things about you on Twitter”
- Verify with the person who sent the message that they indeed sent you a message
Tear off address labels
- Remove labels from mail and packages
- Shred blank application
- Remove all inserts from magazines and catalogs that may contain your address
Get a PO Box
- Have mail saved for you in a place more secure than a metal box on your curb
- This could also make it more difficult for someone to find your address
- Ensures you place outgoing mail in approved locales only
Opt-out
- Reduce the amount of mail (and the amount of labels to shred)
- Keeps unnecessary and tempting offers away from your eyes
- Official site: http://OptOutPreScreen.com
- For a video-tutorial, visit MoneyPlanSOS.com/Opt-Out
Freeze credit reports
- Nobody can see your report, even you
- Cost is $5-$10 per report
- Experian http://www.experian.com/consumer/security_freeze.html
- Transunion http://www.transunion.com/personal-credit/credit-disputes/credit-freezes.page
- Equifax https://www.freeze.equifax.com/Freeze/jsp/SFF_PersonalIDInfo.jsp
Don’t fill out “Enter-to-win” stuff
- You are more susceptible to phishing and scams when entering dozens of giveaways, unless you keep track of every one that you complete.
These steps can not guarantee your ID will never be stolen – how many times have you used your debit or credit card and the cashier never even looked to see if the back was signed? But following these common-sense tips can help make your ID harder for someone to steal.
Bonus material:
For those who subscribe to my ummmm, newsletter??? will get some bonus content in the next release: What to do if your ID is has been stolen.
Note for those who listen or subscribe to the email after May 22nd, 2012: You can still get this information – even if it’s 2014. Go ahead and subscribe to the newsletter: http://MoneyPlanSOS.com/Newsletter, then send me a message (email Steve@MoneyPlanSOS.com or call/text 636-373-4818) and ask for the “What to do if you ID has been stolen” newsletter. Be sure to include your email address so I can find you in the newsletter subscriber’s database and shoot it out to you straight-away.
Did you really say make sure your spouse does not know your pin numbers? Seems counterproductive to the idea of 2 becoming one and somewhat paranoid. I understand that most ID theft is not by a stranger, but if you can’t trust your spouse or their ability to make rational decisions when dealing with finances and family, then why did you get married. Other than that, love the podcasts…keep em coming!