Minimizing the Risk of Identity Theft

To avoid the time, money, and energy that come with a case of identity fraud, you might want to take steps in preventing the act from occurring in the first place. While it is virtually impossible to guarantee that your efforts will turn out successful, taking action is better than standing by and allowing your identity to become a target. As you attempt to protect your credit and good name, you may want to get into the habit of shredding financial documents and any unwanted personal information you normally throw away.

• When it comes to your Social Security number, it is important to guard it dearly. Carrying your Social Security card in your wallet or writing your number on a check is not advised because it increases the threat that your card and number will fall into the wrong hands. Only give out your number when it is absolutely needed and even in that case, try requesting permission to use alternative measures.
  
  
• The personal information that you give to others should not take place over the phone, through the mail, or across the World Wide Web unless you are sure whom you are dealing with. For Internet correspondences, only make arrangements or communicate with websites that offer encryption protection. 
  
  
• If you don’t lend out your credit card or account information to others, then there is less threat that mishandling and abuse will take place.
  
  
• When unsolicited emails arrive in your inbox, it is unadvisable to click on links that may download spyware onto your computer. It is this type of software that will patrol the personal information stored on your computer for passwords and credit card details.
  
  
• When choosing a password, refrain from selecting obvious words and phrases that resemble your birth date, last name, your maiden name, or the last four digits of your Social Security number.
  
  
• When visiting church, the doctor, or any other public place, it is important to keep your purse or wallet by your side or intensely guarded so that thieves lurking in the shadows are not able to take advantage of you.
  
  
• Pin numbers connected to your credit and debit cards should be memorized or kept in a safe place so that someone who stumbles upon your cards does not gain easy access to your personal accounts. 
  
  
• Investing in some sort of credit monitoring or identity theft prevention service will help keep you on top of your credit rating. The sooner you are able to correct the errors of others, the better your life will be.

Identity theft is unrelenting and does not care if you are 10 years old, disabled, a wealthy executive, or a struggling mother of five. The best way to prevent the roller coaster ride of settling the damage caused by identity theft is to stay on top of your financial affairs and follow the above tips to make it harder for thieves to gain entrance into your life.

All of that is a huge amount of work you can effectively eliminate by enrolling in LifeLock.  I ask you...how would you rather spend your time? 

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