This is truly the information age and the need to convey information is constantly growing. Internet shopping is expanding rapidly, as is the concept of online banking, credit cards and financial sites like PayPal. With this increase in the submission of financial information over the World Wide Web, it is not surprising that we have also seen an increase in fraud and identity theft. Information about individuals, including their personal, employment, and credit information, can be easily accessed by anyone who has access to some of your personal information. Most of that information comes from bank and credit card statements and other mail, both email and postal, that you download without concern.

It’s time to go on the offensive and reduce the chances of you becoming a victim of identity theft. The more difficult it is for a thief to steal his identity, the less likely it is to happen to you; Most of the time, if it’s too difficult, the thief will pass on to someone less suspicious who has done little to protect their identity.

There are some steps you can take to help decrease your chances of having your identity stolen. While these few things won’t guarantee your safety against criminals, they will help pinpoint them, hopefully enough for them to move on to the next person.

1. Buy a shredder. Shredders are inexpensive and can be purchased for less than $20 in most cases. You should shred anything that contains personal information, including bills, receipts, bank statements, credit card bills, phone bills, etc. This discourages people from getting your information out of your dump, and yes, it happens often. If you’re not sure if a piece of paper could be used to steal your identity, shred it. All aspects of information should be shredded before being thrown away.
2. Protect your PIN number at the ATM. If there are people around you when you are entering your PIN and you feel they are too close, ask them to move back. Your PIN is the key to your bank account; anyone with that key can steal the money from your account. You should also look at the ATM before entering your card or PIN. Look for surveillance cameras that are pointed at the pin pad and card readers that sit over the actual ATM card reader. Sometimes it’s hard to spot, but if you think something is wrong, walk away and report it to the bank.
3. Be on the lookout for hidden cameras where you send information, such as your credit card number, PIN number at a store, etc. These cameras should never be pointed at or near a PIN pad, and if you fear they might be pointed in that direction, leave the store without making a purchase, pay cash, or completely shield input with your body.
4. Don’t mail checks – these are landmines of personal and financial information. If you need to mail a check, put it in a secure envelope and leave it at the post office instead of in a mail slot on the corner. If you are receiving checks, request that they be sent to you by courier or certified mail.
5. Print a list of your credit card numbers, passwords, usernames, and account numbers and keep them in a safe place, such as your safe deposit box or a locked box or safe in your home.
6. Never save information or the list as mentioned above on your computer in ANY format.
7. On the back of your credit cards, write “Request to see my ID.” Many employees treat a credit card like cash and do not verify the identity of the person using the card. If they don’t ask, let them know they should and ask why they didn’t.
8. If you move, register your new address with the post office and immediately call all your subscriptions, banks, credit cards, and accounts that have a new mailing address.
9. Do not carry unnecessary things with you, such as your SSN card, credit cards that you will not need, checks, etc. Take one or two checks with you and the credit card you will be using, but none of the others. Keep your SSN card and cards you don’t use regularly locked up in a safe or safe at your home or at your bank.

Protect your information with your life: It is vital that you protect your own identity at all times. Be attentive!