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by: WilliamHopkins
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Identity theft is a serious crime that is spreading annually. If you're a victim of identity theft you might spend months, possibly years, attempting to mend a ruined credit report. A severely ruined credit history may compromise your opportunities of getting a new job, a bank loan, insurance or even rental housing. It is even possible to be arrested for a crime you didn't commit if an individual has utilized your identity to break the law.

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 go to a restaurant, it is primarily important to be certain that the 1st 12 digits of your credit card number are masked on your receipt. You might be in the custom of signing it and then leaving the restaurant's duplicate receipt on the dinner table after your meal. A criminal could conveniently steal the endorsed duplicate receipt prior to the waitperson coming back around to pick it up from the dinner table. Don't take any risks.

Do You Really Need To Offer Your Social Security Number?

Additionally, an important way that you may protect against identity theft is to avoid giving out your social security number except when it is truly necessary. Although you need to share your social security number upon applying for a loan or for a bank account, on occasion a store or an organization will need to utilize it as an ID number, only to classify you in their network. This is an ordinary routine although the law says that social security numbers are not to be utilized as ID numbers. In these situations, use your rationality. There is usually a substitute if you question.

Eliminate Documents That Include 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, stop your accounts and request to have new cards issued 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 be required to have it to show to creditors as evidence of the crime.

* Put in a complaint with the FTC, which maintains a database of identity theft cases utilized by law enforcement 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 Life Lock reviews.

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