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Tips on Avoiding Identity Theft

Posted by Joel Bailey | Jun 24, 2016 | 0 Comments

Identity theft rarely happens, so it's pretty likely that it will never happen to you, right? Wrong! Identity theft is extremely common, affecting an estimated 9 million Americans every year. Making sure your personal information is protected is important in preventing identity theft. There are a few extra safety precautions you can take to ensure that you're not the next victim.

The best ways to avoid identity theft

  • Subscribe to an identity theft protection service. These companies offer services to help you in the case that you become victim to identity theft
  • Put your personal documents in a safe. It is especially a good idea to protect items such as your social security card, birth certificate and passport.
  • identity protection tipsProtect your purse or wallet at all times. Keep your purse zipped or shut and don't leave your purse or wallet in the car.
  • Photocopy the contents of your wallet like any credit cards, ID cards, and all other personal documents you keep in your wallet.
  • Examine your bank account statements monthly to ensure that your accounts have no unauthorized charges. If they do, contact your banking institution immediately.
  • Unsubscribe yourself from promotional lists such as junk mail and pre-approved credit card lists. You can be at risk of identity theft if a stranger gets their hands on your pre-approved cards.
  • Cancel credit cards that you aren't using.
  • Make all of your passwords something people would never be able to guess.
  • Protect your computer with anti-spyware and antivirus software.
  • Don't give your personal information to unverified sources whether over the phone or the Internet.
  • Monitor your credit and take advantage of your free credit reports.
  • Shred your personal documents before throwing them away, including mail, credit card statements and even receipts. Dumpster diving is a common method of stealing personal information for the sake of identity fraud.

photo by Brett_Hondow on pixabay

About the Author

Joel Bailey

ATTORNEY BIO & EXPERIENCE Attorney Joel W. Bailey was born and raised in San Diego, California. He graduated from La Jolla High School, and earned degrees in Psychology, Sociology and Political Science from UC Santa Barbara, as well as completing a semester at the Universidad de Madrid in Spain....

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