Mistaken Identity

More than 8 million
people were victims of
identity theft in 2007,
according to Privacy Rights Clearinghouse.
Most people know the
basic prevention measures, such
as committing passwords and PIN
numbers to memory and shredding
credit card receipts. But
there are other habits that can help
you prevent fraudulent activity.
Check your mail often. Identity
thieves often take pre-approved
credit card offers and sign up for
a new card to use without your
knowledge. Be sure to shred these.
Reduce the number of credit and debit cards in your wallet;
if possible, carry only one debit card for bank withdrawals and
one credit card for other purchases. Use a credit card rather
than a debit card while shopping online. You’re better protected
because credit accounts are more often monitored for unusual
charges and offer quicker ways to freeze and replace cards
than banks. Keep a list of all credit and bank card numbers and
expiration dates, as well as banking account information in a
secure place, such as a locked safe in your home.
When ordering new checks, make the trip to the bank to
pick them up rather than having them delivered. When you are
waiting for a new credit card to be delivered, be sure to call the
issuer if it hasn’t arrived within the promised amount of time to
ensure it hasn’t been stolen.
Paying bills the old-fashioned way? Park the car and deliver
mail inside the post office rather than the outside box. Neighborhood
mailboxes aren’t monitored as closely and could be
broken into, leaving your checks open to alterations by a thief.

Information provided by www.crs.com