4 Surefire Mistakes that will Jeopardize Your Personal Identity and Much More
66Safe guarding personal identity and financial information should be a high priority on the list of every law abiding citizen. However, for many of us this is not the case, for some reason, maybe out of pure laziness or unconcern, we make four careless mistakes with the most vital information of our lives. These mistakes will most likely ruin your personal identity for many years, if not forever.
Mistake # 1
Emptying your personal documents in the dumpster will put your personal identity in jeopardy. This is a big mistake. Instead you should shred them. When you throw away important papers, such as bills, old employment applications and other documents containing your personal information, you give identity thieves a green light to steal your personal information and use it to commit fraud.
Mistake # 2
Carelessly exposing your credit card number so that others can see it happens to be a big mistake. Whether you are standing in a grocery store line, sitting in the office, or relaxing at home, never allow others the opportunity to view your credit card information. In bad economic times, many people are desperate, even some of those whom we think we know so well. Who says that identity theft is only the aspiration of strangers?
Mistake # 3
Responding to fake sites which send you spam and pop-up messages in order to obtain personal or financial information is another mistake. These sites appear legitimate, but are only fabricated to steal your personal and financial information. Beware of sites which tell you to enter your bank account number or social security number in order to confirm your identity. They may even try to get you to change your address by presenting a fake “change of address form”. But don’t bite the apple. No legitimate company will do this, especially knowing the dangers thereof.
Mistake # 4
Neglecting to monitor your surrounding when you are out in the environment is another mistake. Identity thieves are everywhere, waiting for an opportunity to surprise you at your most vulnerable moment: when you are not aware. They can run upon you and snatch your wallet or your pulse, which contain the backbone of your personal identity. So be aware of your surroundings at all times. Avoid going a particular way, if the circumstances seem suspicious, such as people peeping from behind buildings or following you into unpopulated areas in the downtown districts.
Recovery: things to look for
If you suspect suspicious activity regarding your financial accounts or billing statements you must act immediately. If your bills are constantly late or if you have received unexpected credit card or billing statements, your identity may have been compromised. Another way to know if someone is using your personal identity is when you are denied credit, although you know you have a good credit history. Usually this means someone has made purchases in your name and has refused to pay the bills.
Recommendation
Check your credit reports if you suspect you are a victim of identity theft. All your financial information should be on your credit report, including all the purchasing you have made and the accounts you have opened. Request a free copy of your credit report from all national consumer reporting companies, particularly Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. These consumer agencies are required to give you a free credit report each year. You must do this regularly in order to monitor your financial accounts and billing statements. Following this advice will surely assist you in safe guarding your personal information and protecting your identity, stopping identity thieves in their tracks.
FBI Federal Bureau of Investigation: Scams & Safety
