Identity theft is an increasingly common problem and it is extremely important to protect yourself. One of the simplest things you can do is to get an unlisted phone number. Most people don’t realize it, but many phone companies sell their customer information – names, addresses, and even calling records to people willing to pay them for it.
This puts you at risk for identity theft because the more companies with your personal information, the more chances it will be abused or lost.
Getting and using a PO Box is another way to combat identity theft. Having your bills and statements sent to a PO Box will safeguard your personal information from criminals who steal information from mailboxes. It also protects you from anyone trying to connect your name and address by researching your utility bills who keep and share this information. By using a PO Box they will not have your physical address.
When you’re at the post office, take the opportunity to mail your bill payments and other letters from there. This will eliminate the chance of them being stolen from the mailbox before they’re picked up by the mailman.
This is a common method used by identity thieves, but can easily be avoided by ensuring you never put anything containing personal information in your local mailbox.
Don’t ever put your phone number, social security number or any other private data on your checks. Your name and address (your PO box address, remember?) should be all that is printed on them. Some stores ask you for this information but it isn’t required if you show them the proper identification. Many businesses are using electronic check verification now anyway so don’t ever give out your personal information.
Safeguarding your social security number is especially important to prevent identity theft. Even if companies request it (except companies running a credit check) don’t give it. The fewer number of companies that have access to your social security number, the less chance it will be stolen.
When applying for a job, don’t give your social security number until and unless you are hired. Gaining access to social security numbers stored in files is a common way of identity theft as well so make sure only companies that are secure and don’t share customer information have access to your number.
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