|
 |
 |
| Protect yourself from identity theft |
|
| Paul Carpenter |
|
8/12/2007 - Over the years, the driver’s license has changed dramatically in an effort to protect people’s identity. From the elimination of the Social Security number to the implementation of a randomly selected alphanumeric number, it has come along way since the paper license days.
Even with safe guards in place, identity theft has reached epidemic proportions, costing Americans billions of dollars. Here are a few tips and suggestions that may protect you from this fraud:
• Never sign credit cards, instead, print with indelible ink the words “Photo ID Required.” Very effective in preventing illegal use of your credit cards if stolen.
• If using pre-printed bank checks to pay for services and merchandise, take a few precautions. Use a work address or a P.O. Box instead of your home address. Same with your phone number. Eliminate it or use a work number instead of your home phone. Do not include your Social Security number with the pre-printed information on your checks. If necessary, print the Social Security number in the “For” line and use only the last four digits.
• Periodically, go through your wallet or purse and discard all unnecessary documents with personal information. Next, photocopy the front and back of everything else and place those copies in a safe, secure place.
• Buy a heavy-duty, crosscut shredder and shred everything you are throwing away that contains personal information, even junk mail.
• If your wallet or purse is lost or stolen, call the police immediately and file a report. This proves diligence on your part with your credit card companies and is the first step toward any investigation.
Next, retrieve the photocopy of your wallet contents and contact everyone on the list as soon as possible to close or flag your accounts.
Immediately contact the three major credit-reporting agencies and the Social Security Administration to have a fraud alert placed on your accounts. Before any credit will be extended or any major purchase can be authorized, you will be contacted for verification. Here are those contact numbers for your convenience: Equifax, (800) 525-6285; Experian, (888) 397-3742; Trans Union, (800) 680-7289; and Social Security Fraud Line, (800) 269-0271.
Until next time, be safe and, happy motoring.
paper shredding services
|
|
|
|
