Identity Theft Protection - How to Protect Yourself

If you’re an avid online shopper, order merchandise through the mail, or send credit card and loan payments by mail, you may be at risk for identity theft; but there are many ways to avoid becoming a victim. From shredding bank and credit card statements and personal information, to carrying only essential identification and credit cards in your wallet, here are some simple ways to protect yourself from identity theft:

Don’t use your mother’s maiden name as an online password

Using a mother’s maiden name is one of the most common identity verification methods accessed by identity thieves, so choose something else whenever possible. Using the name of your pet plus a number, your first school, or even your favorite color are better alternatives. It’s also wise to include a mix of capitol and lower case letters with numbers to best protect your passwords and security codes.

Avoid using your social security number as a password or user name

If you’re logging into a database from an unsecure computer, your keystrokes can be recorded. Using sensitive data such as your social security number as a user name or password means identity thieves may be able to acquire the number and connect it to your name thus increasing the likelihood of identity theft.

Don’t order checks for home delivery

Have new checks sent to your local bank for you to pick up. This prevents thieves who target mailboxes from intercepting your checks and using them in conjunction with a fake identification card.

Monitor your credit report regularly

Be sure to review your credit report at least two to three times per year to make sure everything is accurate and up-to-date. You can order a credit report from any of the three credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion. Open accounts are prime targets for thieves, so make sure to verify all of the information for each of your accounts and close any unnecessary accounts when possible.

Shred personal documents you don’t need

“Dumpster diving” is a common practice among identity theft criminals, so don’t assume that no one will dig through your garbage. Make sure all of your personal documents are shredded before discarding them. Also, shred any credit card or loan offers that you discard which contain any information about you.

Trusted names in identity theft protection services:

• IdentityTruth
- IdentityTruth protects your entire identity, going beyond credit. Advanced technology analyzes data, pinpoints potential fraud, and helps you minimize your risk.


• LifeLock Identity Theft Services
- LifeLock provides a proactive identity theft service, specializing in the prevention of identity theft rather than the reporting of it.


• TrustedID
- TrustedID’s® mission is to proactively protect consumers against identity theft, especially as identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the United States. Our innovative flagship product – IDFreeze® - stops identity theft before it ever happens.