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identity theft, protecting your identity, scams, internet scams
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Protecting Your Identity www.lifethenfinance.com
If you take some simple steps to protect your identity, you can save yourself many headaches in the future
25 Ways to Protect Your Identity www.lifethenfinance.com
Tip #1: Shred Your Junk Mail • When you get personal mail you don’t want, it’s easy to toss it aside or throw it out as-is. • Always shred these documents so they don’t get into the wrong hands. www.lifethenfinance.com
Tip #2: Remember to Take Your Receipt • Certain receipts may contain personal information, especially at places like the bank. Even some restaurants leave full credit card numbers on receipts, so never leave a receipt behind. www.lifethenfinance.com
Tip #3: Keep Your Social Security Number Safe • Keep your social security card in a safe place other than your wallet. Also, keep documents private that use your social security number. www.lifethenfinance.com
Tip #4: Avoid Giving Personal Information Over the Phone • Be wary of anyone who wants to have your personal information over the phone, especially if they’re calling you and you’re not the one placing the call. www.lifethenfinance.com
Tip #5: Use Only Reputable Websites • When online, do your research to ensure that you’re on the official website of the company with which you wish to do business. www.lifethenfinance.com
Tip #6: Keep Track of Your Credit Cards • Always know the location of your credit and debit cards. Never leave them easily accessible in your car or desk. www.lifethenfinance.com
Tip #7: Report Lost or Stolen Cards Immediately • Alert the creditor of each card so they can cancel the lost or stolen card and issue you a new one. www.lifethenfinance.com
Tip #8: Ensure You’re Dealing With Legitimate Companies • Sometimes scammers try to make you believe that they’re employees of a certain company when, in fact, they have no connection to that company. Do your research and check up on these people before conducting business. www.lifethenfinance.com
Tip #9: Ask About Privacy Policies • Almost every business has a privacy policy. See what information they need from you and why, so you don't disclose more than they need. www.lifethenfinance.com
Tip #10: Keep Track of Your Credit Report • Keep a current copy of your credit report and learn what it all means. www.lifethenfinance.com
Tip #11: Go Over Your Statements Each Month • Check your statements with a fine tooth comb to make sure that there’s nothing out of the ordinary. www.lifethenfinance.com
Tip #12: Keep Strict Records • Stay organized and keep strict records of your more sensitive business. www.lifethenfinance.com
Tip #13: Join the Do-Not-Call List • Do what you can to keep solicitations to a minimum and keep your phone numbers private and away from scammers. www.lifethenfinance.com
Tip #14: Beware of Email Scams • Never give your personal information in an email and be aware of the latest scams circulating throughout the ‘net. www.lifethenfinance.com
Tip #15: Always Think Twice Before Handing Out Personal Information • Whenever you’re asked for information on the internet, on the phone, or in person, think twice and make sure that you’re giving it to a legitimate entity. www.lifethenfinance.com
Tip #16: Keep Statements in a Safe Place • Ensure you have a safe place for any documents you must hold onto for safe keeping. www.lifethenfinance.com
Tip #17: Visit Personal Websites Only From Your Home Computer • You can conduct personal business online through reputable websites, but do it on secure computers and not from public or work computers. www.lifethenfinance.com
Tip #18: Never Reply to Email Spammers • Never send messages to email spammers even if you already know it’s a scam. It’s best to report and delete these emails immediately. www.lifethenfinance.com
Tip #19: Check Your Computer for Spyware • Do a periodic check for spyware to make sure that no one has infected your computer. www.lifethenfinance.com
Tip #20: Keep Up with the Latest Information • It seems that new ways to obtain your identity surface regularly, so stay tuned to the latest information on scammer’s techniques. www.lifethenfinance.com
Tip #21: Be Wary of New Friends, Especially on the Internet • Avoid passing along any personal information for obvious reasons! www.lifethenfinance.com
Tip #22: Check Your Purse Often • Whenever you leave your purse out of sight in any place other than your own home, check its contents to make sure nothing has been disturbed. www.lifethenfinance.com
Tip #23: Purge All Personal Documents You No Longer Need • If you don’t need documents anymore, shredding them will ensure that no one else will ever see them. www.lifethenfinance.com
Tip #24: Keep Your Passwords Hidden • Keep your passwords in a safe place so no one else can conduct business under your name. www.lifethenfinance.com
Tip #25: Use Online Statements • Using online statements in a secure environment prevents having them go through the mail where they can be stolen. www.lifethenfinance.com
Always be aware of your personal information and think twice before giving it out to anyone! www.lifethenfinance.com
Self-Reflection Questions: • Am I leaving myself open to identity theft? • Am I shredding documents enough so they can’t be pieced together? • How do I protect my online identity and keep it secure? www.lifethenfinance.com
Action Tips: • Ensure that your anti-virus software is updated to the latest version. • Set your virus scanning software to run regular scans automatically. • Delete all spam emails. • Shred all documents beyond recognition. www.lifethenfinance.com
