How to Prevent Identity Theft | Scams

By MatthewKnight
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Today, with the increase use of the internet, identity theft is growing at an alarming rate. When a person steals your identity a person can commit a crime under your name or apply for a credit card, maxing it to its limit and leaving you with the bill.

How People Steal Your Identity

* Gleaning information from a person's trash or stealing their mail.

* Gaining data from thrown away computers or files.

* Obtaining personal information from government websites, the internet or private company files.

* From thieving wallets or handbags containing personal information.

* Stealing information from a credit card by skimming it through a card reader.

* Using malicious software that hides on a person's computer to steal their personal information.

* Posing as an employee of a trusted organization and then asking for personal information.

* Using MySpace and Facebook to look up personal information on people.

Preventing Identity Theft

Preventing identity theft can be simple.

* Shred or tear up personal mail and papers before throwing them out. This includes credit card offers, bank account details and tax return information.

* Avoid dangerous websites and do not reply to emails requesting your account or personal details, even though they may look like they are from authentic sources.

* Do not let your credit card out of your sight, even when paying your bills. It only takes seconds for someone to skim your card through a reader and steal your credit card information.

* Do not give out personal information over the phone, no matter who they say they are.

Doing these simple things are just the first steps in protecting your personal information. If you are concerned about identity theft there are identity theft protection companies available. Costing around $10 a month these companies will monitor your personal information and credit data to ensure that no one steals it.

About the Author

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