Home Identity Theft Identity Theft Articles How You Can Protect Your Credit
How You Can Protect Your Credit PDF Print E-mail
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Saturday, 19 July 2008 09:27
The most important things you can do to protect your credit are:

WHEN TRAVELING
  • Don’t leave the car rental agreement inside the car where thieves can get it.
  • Shred travel itineraries and ticket receipts issued by airlines and travel agents.

WHEN AT SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS
  • Refuse to write your address and phone number on credit slips, or credit card account numbers on checks.
  • Don’t let a clerk write your driver’s license number on your check if it’s the same as your Social Security Number.

WHEN AT HOME
  • Don’t just throw “junk mail” in the trash unopened. Destroy all preapproved credit card applications, or anything that contains personal information.
  • When cleaning out files, shred old statements, pay stubs, and checks.
  • Don’t give your credit card numbers to callers who say you’ve won a prize.
  • If a monthly statement doesn’t arrive on time, call the issuer immediately.

OVER THE INTERNET
  • Make sure you are buying from a vendor that uses secure information transmission methods.
  • Read the security information posted on the website. Don’t use your credit card unless you are convinced by the information posted that it is safe to do so.
  • Check out the company if you have not heard of them before. You can do this through the usual methods: the state attorney general's office or the Better Business Bureau (BBB). It's easy to check the company's status online at the BBB's site: http://www.bbb.org.
  • You should delete your browser cookies after shopping online. Websites sometimes store sensitive information in these cookies which are a single line of text stored on your computer. You may lose saved passwords/settings on frequently traveled sites when you do this, but you will also cut down on your vulnerability.

Buy a Shredder
Shredders are inexpensive these days; about $25 in most office supply stores. Use it religiously. It is the cheapest and easiest way to protect your privacy.
Shred any paperwork containing personal information before it hits the trashcan.
Shred:
  • Those credit card applications you receive in the mail
  • Credit card receipts
  • Pay stubs
  • Bank statements and deposit receipts
  • Utility bill stubs
  • Old tax returns
  • Anything containing your Social Security Number.



Review Your Credit Card Statements
You can catch any unauthorized use of your accounts early by simply reviewing your statements when they arrive. The sooner you notify the credit card companies, the easier it is to correct any problems. If you just can’t take the time when the bill arrives, be sure to review your bill before sending a payment.

Pull Your Credit Report Once Every 6 Months
If you find indications of theft on your credit reports, don’t panic.
Check the following closely:
  • Are all of the credit lines on the report yours? Make note of each one.
  • Were there excessive inquiries made on your report? Can you account for all of them? Excessive inquiries could mean that someone is trying to get credit in your name.

Secure Your Mail
Mail thieves want your bank statements and credit card bills so they can create counterfeit checks or fake IDs with your account information.
The US Postal Service recommends the following precautions:
  • Place mail for pick-up in a blue collection box, or drop it at your local post office. Don’t put it in your mailbox .
  • Pick up your mail promptly after delivery. Don’t leave it in your mailbox overnight.
  • Tell your post office when you’ll be out of town, so they can hold your mail until you
  • Ask your bank for “secure” checks that can’t be altered.
Last Updated ( Saturday, 19 July 2008 10:04 )
 

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