Identity Theft And What You Can Do About It

By Gerrad Mills

The statistical data of ID theft became so high that most people either know somebody who has had his identity robbed or have experienced it themselves. It's a appalling thing to go through and a big mess to try and get cleaned up. It can mean hours of work, calls, court cases, and plenty of bother that no-one wants to deal with. It can be something that will haunt you for years each time you try to purchase anything on credit. There are ways to protect yourself, and indeed all method of protection should be exhausted to keep your identity safe.

First, it is now against the law for corporations to print your Visa card number on your bill. This incorporates the invoice they keep. They no longer need your number. When they process it, they are given a transaction code which will reference the transaction with your Mastercard number. It doesn't have to be on either copy of the invoice. Sometimes folk will look at you funny, but I'm making a habit of checking for the number before signing the slip. Then, if they have it printed I doodle it out and then sign and hand it back to them. This is for your protection. It doesn't mean that you forecast the clerk to rob you, and they should not take it personally. What if somebody were to break into their store and steal credit card receipts? That person would have tons of information needed to thieve identities. So, cross that number out and make it illegible!

Another way to protect yourself is by checking your Visa card statements. Compare them to your invoices and make sure everything adds up. This is the best way to find out if somebody is using your card-you'll be able to find it out quicker this way and reduce the amount of damage done.

Next, keep your ATM card with you at every point. Don't let folks take it. If you hand it over to make a payment, keep your eye on it. Confirm they don't take it to a back room or somewhere out of sight. Keep your wallet open and ready to remind you to get the card back right away after the exchange is complete. Don't permit yourself to feel rushed and finish up leaving your card behind.

Last, don't reply to email phishing scams. No-one should be asking you for your ATM card, Social Security ID, or other information by e-mail. Corporations should not operate this way, and it's generally an elaborate trick by someone who is not affiliated with your bank in the slightest. They are just making an attempt to trick people into giving out personal information so they can thieve identities.

These are just a few ideas to keep in mind to keep your identity safe. I. D. theft has become so common that it's important to take each measure to keep your info safe. Do all that you can to avoid having this happen to you and if it does, attempt to catch it early to avoid a large amount of damage. - 32534

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