5 Ways You Can Become a Victim of Identity Theft

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In this poor economy, identity theft is still a big problem. Now, more than ever, it is important to protect yourself from criminals who would rob you without you ever being aware until it is too late. Keep from being a victim by learning how you can easily become one.

Identity theft is a problem for businesses as well as you, the consumer. These thieves used to be interested in only robbing your bank account. Now, they look to use your personal information to open new accounts and get approved for loans, cars, boats and all sorts of merchandise. To that end, they employ high tech means to deceive you.

1. Sharing your personal financial information with other people. This includes other family members. Many identity thieves are people that you know. They obtain your information by being close to you. It is a good rule of thumb not to leave important documents or mail laying around where anyone who enters your home could get access to it.
2. Giving out financial information over the telephone. This is a ploy used by identity thieves to reach the elderly. They make calls pretending to be a reputable agency or a bank and ask for social security and credit card numbers. Just like that, the criminal has access to your entire life.
3. Someone steals your wallet. This method used to be the most common. Thieves still steal your wallet to use credit cards, get social security cards and driver’s licenses. Don’t carry your social security card in your wallet or write down PIN numbers and keep them there. If your wallet is stolen, cancel credit cards immediately and report the theft to police. Keeping all agencies on alert before anything happens will send up red flags when the thief tries to use your information.
4. Forgetting to shred all mail. Even junk mail can be dangerous in the hands of the wrong person. The safest way to keep thieves out of your trash is to shred it before disposing of it.
5. Acting unwisely in public places. When people think they are safe, they may let down their guard. Unfortunately, this is when identity thieves strike. In stores, keep your purse or wallet close at hand so that no one can pick your pockets. When punching in PIN numbers, cover the screen with your hand so no one can see your numbers. Avoid putting driver’s license numbers on your checks and also telephone numbers. People seldom write checks these days unless it is to pay bills. In the grocery store, they often ask for this information on checks but you can write it down for the clerk. If a check is stolen from you, this information can prove valuable to the thief.

Now that people are out to steal your identity, protecting that information is quite important. Know the common ways that people become victims and avoid those actions to help keep your identity safe.

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One Response to “5 Ways You Can Become a Victim of Identity Theft”

1. Toy Kitchen says:

   August 4, 2009 at 2:35 pm

   Interesting that I should read this post because I just read a story a few minutes ago about a young girl at a clothing store taking pictures of drivers licenses when people would pay with a credit card. She would ask for the ID and in a small bag on the counter she had a video camera hidden. The bag was open and she would place the card in front of the bag as she was finishing the transaction. If you have to show ID don’t let it leave your fingers.