10 Easy Steps To Help Guard Against Identity Theft
By North American Life Plans
According to the Federal Trade Commission, identity theft has impacted millions of Americans and continues to be the fastest growing crime in the U.S. Identity theft occurs when someone else uses your personal information without your permission, to commit fraud or a range of other crimes. But there are a number of steps you can take to help protect yourself, both while using the Internet, and in your other day-to-day activities.
10. Practice mail security. Use a public mailbox rather than your home mailbox to send bill payments and other mail containing sensitive information. Pick your mail up promptly and ask the post office to hold it while you’re away.
9. Guard your Social Security number. Don’t carry your Social Security card, military ID, Medicare, or other cards that have your Social Security number on them unless you are going somewhere where you will need them. Only provide your Social Security number when there is a legitimate need to do so.
8. Lock and shred. Keep your billing and banking statements and other personal records locked up. Shred or destroy all documents containing confidential information before you throw them away, even those with just your name and address.
7. Stop prescreened credit mailings. Call toll-free 1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688) to get off mailing lists for credit offers. Your Social Security number will be required. This keeps thieves from intercepting and accepting the offers in your name.
6. Keep private information to yourself. Never respond to phone calls or emails asking to confirm your Social Security number or account numbers. Don’t leave PIN numbers, passwords or other personal information around for others to see. Be discreet when discussing confidential information in public, including cell phone conversations.
5. Be safe online. Use anti-virus and anti-spyware software and a firewall on your computer and keep them updated. When you provide financial or other sensitive information online, the address should change from “http” to “https” or “shttp.” A symbol such as a lock that closes may also indicate that the transmission is secure.
4. Do not send confidential information via e-mail. This is typically not secure. Delete all suspicious e-mails without opening them. Be especially careful when opening attachments to e-mails.
3. Monitor your accounts online frequently. You can discover problems more quickly than if you wait for bills or statements to come by mail. If you find any charges or debits that you never made, contact the bank or company immediately.
2. Pay attention to debt collectors. Calls or letters about overdue accounts you don’t recognize could indicate identity theft. If you are contacted by the creditor, ask for documentation about the debt; if by a collection agency, explain that you dispute the bill and why (put it in writing to maintain your debt collection rights under federal law) and ask how to contact the creditor so you can investigate.
1. Sign up for a comprehensive identity theft protection service like LifeLock®. LifeLock helps proactively safeguard your credit, your finances and your good name with vigilant services that alert you of potential threats before the damage is done. If identity thieves steal your personal information, they could take out a mortgage, commit tax fraud, open new credit accounts and a whole lot more. LifeLock backs up their service with a $1 million total service guarantee. In the event your identity is stolen while you are a LifeLock member, LifeLock will spend up to $1 million to hire experts, lawyers, investigators, consultants and whoever else it takes to help your recovery. LifeLock is available through your KRTA membership for only $8.99/month for individuals and $14.99/month for couples. To receive this special pricing, you must sign up through North American Life Plans at 1-888-362-1214.