Best Credit Offers and Identity Theft

Unfortunately, identity theft has become the serious financial crime of the new century. Even though credit card companies, banks and various agencies work to prevent it, it is, actually, the responsibility of each individual to take measures against this crime. Fortunately, there are some simple steps that can be taken to protect ourselves and to prevent identity theft. Below there are 9 recommended steps that anyone can take to prevent this from happening or to decrease the effects in case it has already happened. Learn more about identity theft and follow our advice to escape serious troubles.

1. When writing out checks never put your full name on them, only your first initial and last name. If your checkbook is stolen, the thief will not know how you sign your checks. As your bank keeps a copy of your signature, it will stop the payment of checks with forged signatures.

2. When you are writing out checks to pay on your credit card accounts, do not put the whole account number on the "For" line. Instead, put only the last four digits of the account number, which are sufficient for the credit company to identify your account.

3. Put your work phone number on your credit card checks instead of your home phone number. This way, a thief can't get access to other accounts you have, some of which use the name-address-telephone number combination for verification.

4. Never preprint your social security number or driver license numbers on your checks. You can add it, if necessary. But if you have it printed, anyone can get it.

5. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put "picture ID required" or just leave it blank. To be really diligent, while paying, if the clerk does not ask for a photo ID, mention this and insist on showing it. It will teach them to be more careful as well.

6. Be cautious. In rural areas, a thief can steal your identity through your mail delivery. If you are missing any bills, especially a combination of utility and credit card bills, contact the companies immediately. With this combination thieves can pay the minimum on a bill, then call and have a new card issued with the new address, and even a new name on a secondary card. Within a week, the thief may be using your excellent credit card.

7. When traveling abroad, keep a photocopy of your passport with you. If the original is stolen, you can prevent it from being used again.

8. Make a photocopy of both sides of the entire content of your wallet, including driver license, social security card, consumer credit cards, etc. Keep these copies in a safe place so that, if your wallet is lost or stolen, you have a quick inventory of what was in it.

9. Even online identities must be protected, especially email addresses related to individual websites. Fraudsters use this information for disreputable sales, such as at auction sites like eBay. There are free simple programs available that will scramble the email addresses on websites.