10 Tips to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft
As an adult, I am constantly educating myself on the topic of money. Read on to find more ways to improve your finance skills and protect yourself from identity theft.
Watch your credit card statements closely. If they are online, consider printing them and analyzing the paper version. Sometimes identity thieves place a small charge to start the fraud. Consider having one card for credit card purchases.
Identity Theft can happen to anyone even children. If your minor child is getting offers for credit cards or banks, investigate this. Some children find out once they apply for student loans that their credit has been stolen.
Check your bank account and banking info from your personal computer only. Do not use a public computer or WI-Fi for banking.
Know your credit score at all times. Many credit cards have it on their website. Use Nerd Wallet to sign up for a free credit report. Other services will provide free accounts.
Meet with a loan officer at your local bank. Ask them about ways that your bank helps to prevent identity theft.
Consider joining LifeLock or another credit monitoring service.
Protect your social security number. Refrain from carrying your card with you. Keep it at home in a fire safe if possible.
Shred all mail. Many thieves go looking in trash cans for account numbers.
Create strong passwords and write them down in a notebook. Do not use your birthday or your maiden name.
Congratulate yourself on taking the time to learn about Identity Theft. You and you alone are responsible for your financial independence.
