What Are The Warning Signs that Your Identity is in Danger?
Has your identity been stolen or is it safe? You’re not sure? Well there are some signs to look out for. If you notice any of these signs, your identity may well be in danger.
1. Your bank and credit card statements show charges you don’t remember making or you didn’t authorize. Make sure you use every card at least once a month so you receive regular statements. Keep your card receipts for every purhase and check your statement against them. Keep a tab on your spending and checking your statements on a regular basis is a very simple identity theft solution.
2. Checks are missing from your check book. This could be a sign that someone has unauthorised access to your bank acount. Always keep your check book in a safe place and inform your bank if you find anything suspicious like missing checks.
3. Your new check book hasn’t arrived in the mail. If you are waiting for a new check book and it hasn’t arrived in a reasonable time, inform you bank. It could be that an identity theft crime has been committed and some one has managed to intercept your mail.
4. A debt collection agency is chasing you for a debt you have no recollection of incurring.
5. You have accounts on your credit report that you did not authorize. Register with Lifelock and the chances of this happeningwill be elliminated.
6. Your billing statements do not arrive on time, or worse still do not arrive at all.
7. You are no longer receiving any mail! Identity thieves often change people’s address to re-route mail. If you are not receiving any mail, this may have happened to you.
8. You apply for credit and your application is turned down. When you investigate why, you find your financial position is not what you thought it to be.
9. Your wallet goes missing. You may get it back with everything seemingly intact (sometimes no money has been taken) but an identity thief may have stolen information from your credit and debit cards and be using that information fraudulently. If your wallet goes missing, inform your bank or credit card company immediately and get new cards issued.
10. You have a feeling someone is going through your trash at night. Dumpster divers could be cruising your streets at night, going through your garbage, trying to locate personal information that you have carelessly thrown away without destroying properly. Shredding your information is an easy solution to this problem.
The worst thing about identity theft, apart from the loss of time trying to get your identity back, is the fact that many thieves are well-known to the victim. Yes, your identity could be in danger from a close friend or relative.
People who know you may have access to your personal information, your financial details, your computer passwords and your PIN numbers. They know your patterns of movement, know personal information about you (such as your mother’s maiden name) and may even be your house sitter when you go on vacation. You may be putting your identity at risk trusting those you are best acquainted with. That’s a scary thought and perhaps one you don’t want to investigate. However if you follow these simple steps, you can safeguard yourself from unscrupulous people who you know.
* Lock up your files at work when you are not using them
* Install passwords on your computer
* Don’t share your PIN or passwords with anyone
* Make sure you trust the person you ask to housesit or collect your mail
Keeping yourself safe from identity theft means keeping vigilant, at home and at work. Watch out for the signs that could indicate you are at risk and keep all personal information to yourself.
If you are concerned about your identity being stolen, there are services that can help. Lifelock Identity Theft System is probably one of the best services on the market for helping you to prevent the theft of your identity. Register with them and rest assured that your identity is safe.
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