There Is Nothing Funny About Identity Theft

We have all seen the commercials on television, the ones where the big scary looking guy is talking in the high-pitched voice of the person who has stolen his identity.  And yes, it is funny to hear the girly voice come out of the hulking male.  There is nothing funny, however, about the crime of identity theft.  The risk of identity theft should be a concern for every person in the United States because all of us are potential victims.  If you have never thought about the risk of identity theft, there is no better time to start than now.  New scams come into play every day, and if the risk of identity theft is not on your list of priorities, you could find yourself the next victim.

 

The risk of identity theft is best achieved by guarding any personal data as if it were your most prized possession.  We might not think of a social security number as a prized possession, but a thief sees it as the mother lode.  Never leave any materials containing sensitive personal data where anyone might see it.  Never use an ATM machine when someone is lurking close.  Finally, never give personal information out by telephone.  If a legitimate caller needs it, he or she will be willing to send an application through the mail. 

 

These are the more obvious forms of the risks of identity theft, but did you know, for example, that your garbage is a potential gold mine for criminals?  The risk of identity theft extends all the way to the trash.  Credit card applications and carelessly tossed out statements give criminals all the tools needed to apply for credit in your name, access your bank account or use your existing credit card numbers. If you do not have a shredder, you should make sure applications and financial statements are torn up and put into separate garbage containers.  The mail sitting in your mailbox can also be easily stolen and combed for useful data. 

 

Now is a good time to take stock of the risk of identity theft options available to you.  Know what documents could be used by a criminal and protect them well.  Look at the information on your checks to see if there is anything on them which could benefit a criminal.  Protect yourself today. 

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