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by: WilliamHopkins
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Identity theft is a serious crime that is growing each year. If you are a victim of identity theft you may spend months, possibly years, trying to restore a damaged credit report. An extremely ruined credit report could compromise your chances of obtaining new employment, a bank loan, insurance or even renting a house. It is even possible to be arrested for a violation you did not commit if the guilty party has used your identity to commit illegal acts.

Sadly, many of the means that crooks use to steal identities are out of your control to shield against. Although it is seldom, even store clerks have been known to utilize their position to send along information to identity thieves. There are certain measures you can take, however, that will make it more difficult for a criminal to swipe your identity.

Safeguard Your Credit Card Number When Buying Items

After you make a purchase and your credit card or debit card has been processed through a credit card machine, inspect to be certain that the printed receipt disguises every number but the last four digits of your credit card account number (often there will be X's in place of the 1st 12 digits). Some machines still print receipts that display all 16 digits of an account number, and might even have the expiration date too. After your card is swiped, you're permitted legally to conceal the 1st 12 digits of your account number on the copy of the receipt that the seller retains. Utilize any marking pen that can do the deed.

When you dine at a restaurant, it is primarily crucial to be sure that the first twelve digits of your credit card number are concealed on your receipt. You may be in the habit of endorsing it and then forgetting the restaurant's copy on the dinner table after your meal. A criminal can easily swipe the signed duplicate receipt before the waitperson comes back around to pick it up from the dinner table. Do not take any chances.

Do You Really Need To Offer Your Social Security Number?

Another important way that you could guard against identity theft is to avoid offering your social security number unless it is definitely necessary. Although you need to give your social security number when you apply for a loan or for a bank account, on occasion a business or an organization will need to use it as an identification number, only to identify you within their system. This is a common procedure although the law states that social security numbers are not to be maintained as identification numbers. In these situations, use your judgment. There is usually an alternative if you inquire.

Destroy Forms That Contain Sensitive Personal Information

Purchase a paper shredder and apply it to terminate forms you're getting rid of which contain personal data such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, phone numbers and dates of birth. This is important to do both at home and at work. Identity thieves aren't above going through someone's trash to acquire valuable personal data that could help them get credit in your name.

If The Worst Occurs

If you do turn into a victim of identity theft, take the following measures immediately:

* Communicate with your credit card companies, terminate your accounts and ask to have brand new cards sent to you.

* Put a fraud alert on your file with any 1 of the 3 major credit bureaus. The other 2 will be notified automatically.

* Put in a police report. You may need it to show to creditors as confirmation of the illegal act.

* Put in a complaint with the FTC, which keeps a filing system of identity theft cases utilized by legal agencies for their investigations. ----------

About the Author

William Hopkins hates identity theft especially knowing how LifeLock can help prevent it. Be sure to read his LifeLock reviews.

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