IDENTITY THIEVES

People who try to steal other people's identity are basically looking for any information that allows them to do just that, pose as the person whose identity they are stealing. This allows them to open accounts in your name or take over your existing accounts. Think about the kind of information that you had to provide when you opened your bank account, this is the kind of information that the thieves are looking for.   Up until a few years ago, we got our drivers license back with a hole punched in it, while we waited for the new one to come in the mail. Now with the technology in the local government, everything is processed in the office and the state keeps and disposes of our old drivers license.

An identity thief will look for a drivers license to snatch. The next thing will be a checkbook with ALL your information on it. Most banks now, ask that you only put your address and phone number, so you have to dig out another form of i.d. But with technology, that is out the door also sometimes right along with your credit.

First off, most ID thieves will look for your full name and address, since this is the most basic information they will need to steal your identity. Some thieves will go as far as to go through your garbage to gain this information. That's why every household should have a shredder and use it to shred anything with your address and especially bank and credit card statements. Up until a few years ago, we still got our canceled checks with our bank statement. Think about what thieves would have done 10 years ago if they had the technology we have now.

Shredders are not all that expensive and are a very important step towards protecting your identity which can potentially save you hundreds, or even thousands of dollars.

Most banks, along with the licensing bureaus in each state, ask for an original birth certificate, original marriage document, official notarized dissolution (divorce) documents, and you drivers license with your correct address. Do not keep copies of these items in your home, if you can take them to a safety deposit box at your bank. Keep originals in a safe place.

PHISHING

Obviously, if they can get it, identity thieves will  steal your credit card or bank account number. Going through your paper trash if its not shredded. Now that many of us use our cards online, identity thieves can set up phishing sites. This is basically a site that poses as your banks own website and asks you to enter your details. There are numerous safeguards you can take to help prevent this. Several online search engines have a phishing seals that you set up and if you land on a phishing site, the text or picture will be off color or wrong. that will tell you if you are on a good or 'bad' site

Contact your bank and inform them of the email, call them and ask how they want it handled.

Remember your bank will never ask for your vital statistics over the phone or in an email so don't give them out in this way. Again if you have any mail showing these details make sure it is shredded before discarding it, and never write passwords down.

Also remember that identity thieves will often already have stolen details such as your date of birth, so don't use it as your password and avoid others that are easy to guess or to gain access to, such as your middle name or child's date of birth. Or your favorite pet or parents name.

Don't have the same password for more than one internet account. If thieves have access to your email and your email password is the same as your online banking password, at this point the identity thieves also have access to your online accounts.

Once the thieves have gathered all the information they need, they will use it to take over your accounts and withdraw money or they will have new accounts created in your name, costing you money and potentially ruining your credit report. Oftentimes the thieves will sell your details to other criminals making the crime harder to detect and more costly for you.

Don't leave your wallet or billfold in your vehicle. If you have to, lock them in your trunk. Along with your insurance cards and any information that might be relevant to your vehicle. Think about what you would have your address printed on.

Think about your medical insurance cards. Some companies who supply insurance for their employees also have the convenience of a medical debit/credit card to purchase prescriptions and other over the counter medical aids. Thieves love these because from experience, the checkout people don't ask for another form of identification when purchases are made. The only thing is if an unofficial purchase was made the card company will contact you about the purchase and you have to have the purchase receipt to verify you made the purchase.

PROTECTION

Protect yourself in all ways. Shred your statements and ALL junk mail. Lock up your personal papers in a safety deposit box. Don't leave your wallet in your car. The same with you extra set of keys. Don't keep all your credit card in the same location. If you get your cancelled checks in the mail, find a way to dispose of them without putting yourself at risk. We burn ours after a year if the bank doesn't do it for us.

DON'T leave voided checks laying about after you've made your purchases. Shred them also unless you need them for tax purposes. Stay green, you can use the shredded paper as mulch on you lawn. But that's another hub for another time.

Don't click on popups. That is the easiest way to get a virus or a 'visitor'.