You know, Do your parents? Identity Theft.

The number amount of fraud committed against seniors continues to be disproportionate to the rest of our population.

We hear about this information all the time and most of us consider ourselves to be fairly wise consumers.  I certainly thought this.  I happen to be talking with my parents about this and told them I used to carry my social security card with me, and now I now I keep it locked up.  They both got very quiet and I asked them...are you carrying your social security card with you?  Sure enough.  Reveiw this checklist for yourself, and then do it with your parents.

1. Don't carry your Social Security card with you. Keep it in a safe place at home.
2. Don't carry automotive insurance policies or car registration in your car.
3. Hang on tight to your purse (dangling it from the back of the chair in a restaurant is a no-no.,   and carry a purse that zips and keep it zipped shut!)
4. Burglar-proof your home, and keep your important documents and financial records locked up.
5. Never write down passwords or carry them with you.
6. Don't give out your financial or personal information over the phone or Internet unless you initiated the contact.  This last week alone I've had 4 emails from credit unions and banks that said they had to freeze my account until I updated my information with them.  Which, I would be glad to do IF I HAD AN ACCOUNT WITH HTEM!  I just deleted the emails.
7. Give out your Social Security number only when necessary.
8. Each of the three credit reporting firms will give you one free credit report per year.  Look at your report at least once per year, if not every 6 months.
9. Invest in a paper shredder. Shred all financial statements, billing statements and even that preapproved credit card junk mail. 
10. Minimize the number of credit cards you carry with you.
11. Cancel credit cards you haven't used in the last 6 months (although if you've had some of these open for a long time, you'll want to consider the impact this might have on your credit score).
12. Review all of your financial statements every month for unfamiliar charges.
13. Get your name taken off direct mail lists. Write to:

Direct Marketing Association

Mail Preference Service

PO Box 643

Carmel, NY 10512

We won't ever be able to prevent crime 100%, but we can protect ourselves, and make it more difficult for the thugs to steal from us.

Comments

[Paper Shredder]

nice post

[Paper Shredder]

informative post , it emphasizes the proper investment on paper shredders , the security measures given are very valuable , thanks !

[Cross Cut Shredder]

Thanks for the useful post ! these tips and guidelines are a great help in preventing illegal acts in you daily work processes .