Identity Theft Prevention Tips 2

Public Hotspots

It is simple to connect to most hotspots (public wireless access points) such as coffee shops, rest stops, airports, and hotels, but this convenience also has drawbacks.  Hotspots are generally unsecure (because no password or encryption is used) which means everything you send/receive from the internet can be easily read by hackers nearby.

Keep Your Social Security Number Private

Many states will ask if you want your social security number on your driver's license when you apply or renew.  It should be optional.  Request that it not be displayed. Also, never allow someone to write your social security number on a check.

Credit Card Warning

Under no circumstances should anyone physically disappear with your credit card.  Many cardholders have had their information stolen in the following manner:  An employee (ex: waiter/waitress) runs the credit card through a swiper, (a machine about the size of a credit card that collects and stores one's credit card information) in addition to the normal credit card processor. Over the night a few hundred credit cards are collected and the information is sold.

Stop Preapproved Credit Cards

To stop delivery of preapproved credit card applications either call 1-888-567-8688 (1-888-5OPT-OUT) or online at: OptOutPrescreen (you only have to enter your name and address - social security number and birth date are optional).

Missing Bills

Know when each bill is supposed to arrive in the mail or online. If it is missing this may be the sign that someone switched addresses or swiped it from your mailbox.