How To Protect Your Identity From Theft

Identity theft is a serious problem that can take years and lots of money to correct. There are some simply steps that can be taken which may help protect your identity.

By now we all heard for identity theft, but what is identity theft, how does it affect you and how do you protect yourself from it?

What is identity theft?

Identity theft occurs when a "criminal" uses another your personal information such as your social security number, credit card number or even your name without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes. It has been reported that over 9 million Americans fall victim to identity theft each year.

How does identity theft affect you?

Having your identity stolen is serious and can take years to correct. Crimes committed in your name can be in the form of renting apartments, establishing a telephone account, purchasing products and services with your credit card number, getting cash advances from credit card companies, the list is endless. If you are a victim of identity theft you can be denied loans, have your credit ruined, lose out on job opportunities or even by arrested for crimes you did not commit. This is a serious issue.

How does your identity get stolen?

Thieves will do the following:
- Go through your trash looking for bills or other personal papers.
- Steal your credit card number by using special storage devices when processing your card.
- Pretend to be a financial institution and send you spam messages to get to reveal your information.
- Change your address by filling out a change of address form.
- Steal your wallet, purse, mail, pre-approved credit offer etc.

How do you protect yourself from identity theft?

- Shred financial papers before you discard them.
- Don't carry your Social Security card in your wallet.
- Don't give out your Social Security number over the phone unless you have to.
- Don't give out personal information over the phone, through the mail or over the Internet unless you know who you are dealing with.
- Nerve click on link of unsolicited email. Use fire walls, anti-spy ware and anti-virus software to protect your computer.
- Do not use obvious passwords such as your date of birth or the last four digits of your Social Security number.
- Keep your personal information in a secure place at home.

Identity theft is very serious and can take you years to correct, lots of money and cause untold stress. One of the best ways to protect yourself is to use an identity theft protection service. I recommend LifeLock because they have over 200,000 happy client and they offer a $1 million guarantee.

Click here to find out more on how to protect your identity.