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RISING WOMEN EXPERT ADVICE...
Are there any simple steps I can take to reduce my exposure to Identity
Theft?
There’s no foolproof way to avoid having your identity stolen, but there
are a number of precautions you can take to minimize your odds of being a
victim.
Monitor Your Credit and Bills - Regular review of credit reports,
reconciling statements and paying attention to your billing cycles will
reveal things that aren’t “normal” or that you can immediately investigate.
Not receiving a bill could mean that someone has taken over your account
without your knowledge.
Secure, Shred and Erase - All mail, documents and data need the most secure
ways of getting to you and being disposed of. Use a secure mailbox or a slot
in your door. Send your mail in Canada Post mailboxes. Make sure your e-mail
and internet has all the latest security measures.
Shred every piece of paper that has any personal or financial information on
it. This includes charge receipts, copies of credit applications, insurance
forms, bank statements, and especially credit card offers. Erase all disks,
including hard drives, before recycling.
Practice Guarded Shopping - In public, whether using your debit card in the
bank, at an ATM machine, or in the check-out line, be aware of cell phone
cameras, people looking over your shoulder, or creating any distractions so
you look away momentarily instead of covering your pin and protecting your
card. Take all receipts and trash with any personal information on it home
with you so you can destroy it properly and completely.
Making purchases on-line or giving credit card information on the phone
require extra caution. Look for the icon of a lock in the lower right-hand
corner of your browser window. If it’s there, you are dealing with a secure
site. If not, you’ll be safer finding another merchant.
Be Cautious. Be Proactive - Confirm who you are dealing with before you give
any personal information whether in person, on the phone, by mail, or over
the internet. Ask for credentials and investigate. Know why and how your
information will be used.
These are just a few of the ways you can be pro-active to protect your
identity or to provide early warning to professional investigators if you
even suspect something is missing, stolen or unclear. As they say, “Being
forewarned is being forearmed!”
For more details on this subject, please contact Linda McKendry,
Independent Associate for Pre-Paid Legal. |
