Identity Theft Protection: 6 Tips to Protect Yourself

Today's internet provides many fantastic opportunities that we never thought possible. But at the same time, it opens up the door to internet scam artists and identity thieves. Millions of people worldwide fall victim to identity theft each year. A number that is truely staggering when you think about how many lives that this has impacted and the amount of money that was stolen.

But, the reason I looked further into this was because I was fearful of identity theft (a friend of mine had it happen to him!) and had a few different sources of private information that I specifically wanted to keep secure. They include: Investments, Banking information and statements, Business documents, Credit Card Numbers, and Internet Site History. In addition, there are ways to reduce the chances of identity theft for records and document that are not stored on your computer, which is another way in which your identity may be compromised. They include:

1. Shredding unwanted documents that contain personal information. It seems like a no-brainer, but a shredder is your best friend!

2. Do not leave your mail out for an extended period of time. Have a neighbor or friend pick it up if you will be gone for an extended amount of time. Also, if you expect a certain bill to come on a certain day and it doesn't show up, that is a red flag! Contact someone to find out what day your bill was sent out to you.

3. Review and monitor your consumer credit reports regularly and question anything that you don't understand or looks "suspect".

4. Never carry your social security card or your birth certificate with you.

5. Check your financial statements and ensure all charges made are yours. Often times this goes overlooked but can really be the first indicator of identity theft. Also, it is a good way to ensure that you aren't being overcharged by certain companies that like to add "service charges" without notice.

6. Keep your ATM and Debit Card receipts. Don't throw them in a public trash can or on the ground!

Having to go through the identity theft process of "clean-up" is not something that anyone should have to endure. It is nothing but a pain, and your credit doesn't ever get completely fixed. These tips are considered easy compared to the extremely long and painful headache of getting personal information replaced.

Trust me when I tell you to protect yourself! Don't be one of the millions each year that have their identity stolen. Take a step in the right direction for you and your family's safety. Your livelyhood could be in jeopardy!