1-800-Life-Line Helps Avoid Identity Theft

This is the second addition to my series "1-800-Life-Life". I will be writing life tips, and hints periodically. So, in this edition I will provide you with ways to eliminate yourself of being prone to such sneaks. I will teach you to track these robbers. Today, our goal is to protect!

What is Identity Theft?
In short terms, Identity Theft is a practice in which a person searches for another's personal information such as Social Security Number, Credit Card number, Bank Account Information, and Bills with personal information. Once they have found such things, they take the "meaty" information they need in order to pretend they are you. They will use your information for their own games, and will purchase things under your name. Who gets the bill in the end? YOU! Yep. They will use all the information they need to convince someone that they are someone else. You can potentially get arrested if they commit a crime, and use your name and identification. So, continue reading to learn how to protect yourself.

Where does such crimes happen?
The scary thing is, Identity Theft can happen right under your nose and you may never know it. Thieves can be in another state, let alone another country! Most identity theft will happen on the Internet. And, you thought you were safe with all that virus blocking software you have? Your own flesh and blood may be frauding you! This crime does not just stop on the Internet. It can be carried to where ever people regulate. This means, co-workers, neighbors, brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, postal workers, government workers, gardeners, lawn mowers, babysitters, dog walkers, professional wrestlers, fast food workers, construction crew workers, magicians, sale representatives, computer repairmen, rivals, friends, glass makers, painters, artists, gas station servants, vendor re stockers, security guards, fire fighters, police men, EMTs, surgeons... Must I go on? All of them (and more) have the capability to fraud someone. You even have the capability of frauding. Scary right?

What do these thieves use to commit fraud?
Anything that they can. Your phone number, address, Social Security Number, Credit Card number, Banking Information, receipts, pay checks, and so on!

What can this do to me? Is it so bad?
Yes, It is so bad! This is a felony! Must I start on the long, long list of the negative effects that this type of crime will do to you? Lets just say, you want to buy groceries at the grocery store but you are rejected because you have a history of bouncing them. Personally, you never bounced a single check... EVER. But, your "secret twin" does it every other day for you! The collection agency calls you to remind you of a past bill that needs immediate payment but you never ordered such items. You can be arrested, put in jail, be forced to give up your home, your car, and everything you own because this slime-ball is sitting back in luxury and ordering everything under the sun - under your name. This type of crime may go undetected for months, if not years! I was in this situation about a year ago, but good thing I was aware of these acts only HOURS after it was committed.

How can I protect myself?
Let me tell you- as with any crime, there is no way to completely eliminate it. The law can put however many consequences it wants but that will not stop ignorant people from doing such things, in hopes they won't be caught. These steps will help you to "get out of the clearing" to potentially protect yourself from being "twinned".

The first, and probably most important step is to cut down on the amount of credit and debit cards you own. The more you have, the harder it is to manage. If you have 5 cards, chances are you will be swimming in paperwork, and will be very easily lost in it all. When this happens, it is very easy for identity thieves to "do their magic". I suggest you stick to only one or two cards, and keep them in a safe place at all time. No, not in your purse that is in back of you, ladies! Keep them in a hidden pocket in your purse, and be sure to keep your pocketbook in front of you at all times. You do not need to use it as a fanny-pack, but just make sure one of your hands are covering it! Or, not in your back pockets guys! Pick-pocketing is also another practice, that will lead up to identity theft. You can keep your wallet in your back pocket, but I suggest to keep special cards and "big bills" in your front pockets. This will make you less prone to "pickers".

Watch closely at restaurants! Employees of different eaters are known to swipe the magnetic strip of your card onto their personal "skimmers" that will hold all the information contained in that strip. They then process that information into their home computers to get your identity, which will be used to order what they want! Also, do not use you cards while shopping on line. There are many fraudulent websites around now that use your credit card information for the owner's pleasure. Be very cautious with websites that do not have a https:// in front of the site address in the address bar. The https:// means that the site is secure, as regular sites have http:// But, ANY website can get the special certificates to use the https:// - and they are free!

Photocopy all important papers, credit cards, addresses, phone numbers, and the such. Keep them in a safe place. If you lose an item, you can be sure you have it photocopied. If another person gets it and is trying to use it, you can present your copy to authorities. NEVER, EVER, EVER give out your Social Security Number, Credit Card Number, or Bank Information out over the phone. You never know who is on the other side, or who is listening in! This is another route that these thieves take to clone you.

If you are ever at an ATM, or are at a store and use your Credit Card - take the receipt. Do not throw it in a trash can. Store it, or shred it into little pieces. By putting it in the trash can, you are more vulnerable to anyone who walks by it. You never know what they are going to do. Order your credit report at least every 6 months. By doing this, you will be able to monitor the activity on your account. If you see something fishy, you can take action before it is too late. Although you are only allowed ONE free credit report, I would suggest you to invest into one more every six months.

Never give out the pin number to your credit card, and do not write it down. By writing it down, perhaps on your card, you are basically inviting someone to use your card whenever they want. When at ATM's, cover your PIN entry with your body, or make sure that no one is looking behind you. Take all precautions when at ATM's. Robberies, and other crimes can happen within 50 feet of an ATM before or after a transaction. I would also suggest you to continue your research on how to protect yourself by following the websites below!

Learn what to do if your identity is stolen.
In-depth information about Identity Theft.
Identity Theft- Wikipedia.org

What will the next edition hold? I don't even know! Keep checking my Profile Page for the newest Life Line!