Avoiding Identity Theft Is Exercise in Common Sense

Leaving $100,000 unattended on a table in an unknown restaurant or on the counter in a department store is probably the last thing you would ever do. However, that is exactly what people with good credit ratings are doing if their credit card slips are left behind after paying. Using common sense is essentially all that is required when taking steps in avoiding identity theft. And the steps that need to be taken are quite simple.

One of the most common forms of identity theft happens on the telephone but the main focus still seems to be the internet. On of the most important things you can do in avoiding identity theft is to keep personal information personal. Never give it to anybody over the phone no matter what implications they threaten you with if you refuse. One example is you’ll receive a call from someone claiming to be from your bank to verify your account information due to an identity theft investigation.

Common sense should prevail if someone calls asking for information regarding your account such as your social security number. If they were actually from your bank they should already have that information. You could turn the tables on them and ask them to give you the information they have on file and you can verify if it is accurate. This is a perfect way of avoiding identity theft. The best thing to do is hang up on the call and put a call into your bank. Someone there should be able to verify if the call was an attempt at identity theft.

Keep Information Hidden From Potential Thieves

Account numbers, names or other information is something a financial institution will never do if you are already doing business with them. Also, your bank should have a fraud reporting email address. If you receive an e-mail that looks like it’s from you bank and they are asking that you log on to a link in the mail - forward it to the fraud reporting address. The only sure way of avoiding identity theft is make a habit of never sending important account information over the internet. You can not be guaranteed that the person receiving this information is who they say they are.

Identity thieves use your identity for financing cars or houses, credit cards and a variety of other pricey items. Avoiding identity theft should be as important as protecting your purse, wallet and checkbook when you consider the financial loss possibilities it presents.

Probably the best way for avoiding identity theft is to make sure that you never give your personal information to anyone over the phone, to anyone you don’t know or through an internet connection that in not secure. Avoiding identity theft is possible if you keep up to date on the scams taking place on the phone, internet and even in person.

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William Roberts
229-769-3079 ©

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