6 Overlooked Ways Your Identity Can Be Stolen
If you shop online this is a MUST-READ!!
Old prescription labels-Prescription labels not only list your medical insurance information but can include your name, birthday, address and phone number on them-all pertinent information that a thief can steal and use to pretend they are you. Tear up and throw out old prescription forms immediately.
Old debit/credit cards/driver’s licenses– Although the card’s account may now be canceled or the driver’s license is expired, these documents contain information (driver’s license ID, birthday, your photo, etc.) that a thief can use to pose as you to open a new account or gain access to your new one. Shred it, cut it in little pieces that cannot be put back together and throw out immediately.
Using debit cards instead of credit cards for online purchases-Though it might seem easier to keep track of online purchases that are made using your debit card, this is unsafe! Unlike credit cards, most debit cards are linked to your bank account, making it harder to prove that someone other than you made a purchase. Plus if a thief accesses your debit/bank account, he or she has access to your pay check, direct deposit and money you use for daily expenses. This type of identity theft is hard to prove and even harder to replace the money stolen, so make online purchases with credit cards.
Credit cards (no matter how small your limit) are almost always protected by (or offer some form of) fraud detection/protection that can protect your credit and assets should someone steal your card to make unauthorized purchases. The best thing to do is get a secured, low cash/credit limit card through your current bank to use for online purchases. And ALWAYS invest in fraud protection for both credit and debit cards.
Old Checks/Canceled Checks-Follow the same discarding procedure as you do with debit and credit cards. Cut up, throw out and be sure to call (not email) the bank to make sure the account has been canceled. Request a letter in writing that confirms the account has been canceled. If you have small children, do not let them “play” with your old checks either. Throw these out immediately.
Junk Mail/Credit card offers/catalog order forms/inserts with your information-You might think an old Victoria’s Secret catalogue may not be a factor in identity theft, but it can be. Some catalog inserts contain your name and address and all it takes is one phone call to pose as you and access your credit limit. Though it may not be as easy or as lucrative as debit and credit cards, who wants to pay back $500 worth of goods that they didn’t order? Tear OUT and tear UP the catalog inserts and throw out
Using Bodega ATMs-If you live in a big city, using corner store ATM’s can be unavoidable. However, proceed with caution and use less frequently if you can. Many bodega/corner store ATM’s are unsecured and some even are equipped with skimmers (debit-card reading devices that capture card numbers while secretly filming you enter your PIN number). If you can, try to withdraw a set amount of money to last you until your next ATM trip or find your nearest bank branch and only withdraw from there.
Be safe and happy shopping!!