Identity theft happens when a fraudster uses your name, address, bank account information, credit card details or other types of personal data without your consent. They may open up new accounts in your name or make purchases using your personal details. It’s scary and uncomfortable when someone uncovers and uses your sensitive data, and it can also have real consequences. Your credit may be affected if an identity thief applies for credit, opens new accounts or rents an apartment with your information. But there’s a lot you can do to protect yourself from identity theft, starting with understanding the information that you should go to the greatest lengths to protect.
Here’s where to start… this is some information thieves can use to steal your identity, name and address,social security number, banking Information, cell phone number, passwords, credit card information, passwords, and credit card Information.
How to protect your personal information, there are many ways a fraudster can steal your information, but there are just as many ways for you to protect it. Here are your best bets:
- Clear your mailbox. Try not to leave communications from your financial institutions or the government in your mailbox for too long to prevent a thief from grabbing them. Be wary of potential fraudulent mail promising sweepstakes or lottery winnings or containing fake tax notices. Whenever possible, sign up for electronic notices rather than paper ones to keep sensitive information out of your mailbox.
- Consider a post office box. You may consider setting up a post office box where you can receive particularly sensitive documents. That prevents fraudsters from accessing your mail and stealing additional data from you, and it also means you can avoid giving out your personal address for all correspondence.
- Stay vigilant. Stay watchful when you’re entering your PIN at an ATM and check the machine for signs it’s been altered or configured with a device that could capture your banking information.
- Protect your browsing. Use a virtual private network (VPN) when you’re accessing the internet in a public space, which can help prevent thieves from hacking into your wireless network and stealing your passwords.
- Leave important information at home. Don’t regularly carry your Social Security card in your wallet, and avoid giving out your Social Security number if you can. If you’re asked to enter it online, don’t do so on an unsecured or public network, and use a VPN.
- Check your credit report. Regularly review your credit reports for suspicious activity. Consider placing a free security freeze on your credit to prevent thieves from setting up accounts in your name.
- Know the risky places. Understand where your personal information may be maliciously stored and shared online. Credit monitoring companies offer dark web scan, personal privacy scans, and ongoing dark web monitoring.What to Do if Your Identity Is Stolen:In addition to changing your associated passwords and PINs.
You can report the identity theft by submitting a police report, which will then provide you with a reference number and start a case. Credit Services of America can help with the stress and get you on a plan to bounce back to where you were or even better. While identity theft is an experience that can be stressful and frightening, we have been around over 14 years and helped hundreds of people! Not only will we repair your credit, but also counsel you and help you sustain for the future.