Identity theft is nothing new, but the “digital age” has made it easier than ever to gather, organize, and transmit large amounts of information—including the credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, and account information that identity thieves need to do their dirty work.But the news isn’t all bad. The steps to protecting yourself from identity theft are simple. Make them a habit to lower your risk.
Keep your information safe.
Don’t give identity thieves a chance. There’s a lot you can do to protect your personal information:
- Shred documents with personal information (including account numbers, or your Social Security number or birth date).
- Shred credit card offers and other offers that a thief could make use of.
- Protect your Social Security number. Don’t carry your Social Security card with you, in case your wallet gets stolen, and don’t write it on your checks.
- Only give out personal information if you know the person or group you’re dealing with and you initiated the contact—whether by phone, mail, or Internet.
- Instead of clicking the link in an unsolicited email, type in the web address yourself. (Email links can redirect you to a scammer’s site, tricking you into entering personal information in an unsafe place.)
- Make your password hard to guess. Choices like your birth date, mother’s maiden name, or Social Security number are too obvious. Instead, try a random or made-up word, and include at least one number.