Fight Identity Theft By Digging In And Taking Action Yourself

Online, September 27, 2011 (Newswire.com) - There are many causes of credit fraud and identity theft. Some of the most common are theft of employer records, credit card skimming, mail theft, social engineering, lost or stolen wallet, dumpster diving and data breaches. Another major contributor is the Internet. Most people these days have used the Internet to purchase goods, conduct online banking and pay bills.

So how do you fight identity theft and credit fraud? One of the most basic things you can do is to protect your Social Security card. Keep the card stored in a safe location, and don't carry it around in your wallet. You should only provide the number when absolutely necessary. When your number is to appear on a document, such as a loan application, ask that the number be blocked out or truncated.

Be sure you shred old paperwork and any other documents that contain your personal or financial information before you dispose of it. You should also make a list of all your account numbers, expiration dates and telephone numbers for every credit card you own. Keep this information in a safe place, so that you'll have it if your cards are ever stolen. Be sure to review your credit card statements carefully each month to be sure there are no fraudulent or inaccurate entries.

Watch out for phishing attacks, which occur when you receive an e-mail that appears to be from a legitimate business, like a bank, that asks for personal information. If you receive such an e-mail, contact the bank or other business directly to see if they sent it. Don't click on links contained in unsolicited e-mails.

To keep your information safe online, run a virus scan on a regular basis, use hard-to-guess passwords and change them frequently, and check your online and credit statements often. Watch for unfamiliar charges or withdrawals.

By doing these basic things and even by signing up for an identity theft protection service, you can help keep identity theft at bay.