Identity Theft Protection - Practical Ways to Stay Safe

Sadly, many Americans only think of identity theft protection once they've been victimized. In the unfortunate tradition of closing the barn door after the horse has escaped, many of us install Firewalls, Antivirus software, and monitor our credit card transactions only after having lost tens (or hundreds!) of thousands of dollars and spending countless hours clearing our tarnished credit record and reputation. NOW, we're interested in identity theft protection!

If you are one of the intelligent few that is genuinely interested in identity theft protection issues after having been alerted by the many horror stories associated with ID theft, then read on.

Identity theft protection: Carry only the ID you need
Identity theft protection is most effective as a preventive measure. For instance, you need not carry every credit card and identification you own all the time.

If you aren't driving, leave your license in a secure place at home. If you aren't planning to transact any business that will require your Social Security card, then don't bring it.

If you have an old utility bill somewhere in your bag, or a piece of paper, postcard, or envelope that happens to have your personal data, don't just leave it there. It's unlikely that you will even notice it's missing, so shred it and throw it away.

Identity theft protection: Dispose of ID properly
There is no earthly reason for you to be cramming old, expired credit cards into your wallet, or leaving them in old wallets laying around your house. Cut them up and throw the pieces in separate bins or dispose of them separately.

If you have a credit card you hardly ever use, or maintain inactive bank accounts, close the accounts. Thieves may just use it and you will be none the wiser until it's too late.

Identity theft protection: Keep your PIN away from the card
Okay, so you chose a PIN that's impossible to guess. The problem is, you have a hard time remembering it. So you write it on a piece of paper and keep it next to the card? If you do this, you're just asking to be victimized.

Studies show that in a significant number of identity theft cases involving ATM cards, the victims wrote their PINs either on a piece of paper kept with the card or on the card itself.

Identity theft protection: Exercise your right to privacy
Finally, identity theft protection is 90% knowing how you are vulnerable. Banks have different privacy policies. Ask your bank under what scenarios they would make your account info available to someone else. You have the right to know just how your data is used and can refuse it.

Ask them if they periodically make new product offers through e-mail, or if they give your contact info to an allied organization. If you don't want to receive product offer by e-mail or via the phone, let them know.