Identity theft has caused a lot of damage to many lives, as sometimes it takes years for a victim to completely recover. When a thief steals a person's identity, the victim often times doesn't realize it's happened until a month or two has gone by. By this time, the thief is long gone and the victim is stuck with a significant amount of debt. For this reason, knowing some signs of identity theft could help limit the damage done. You will also learn what you can do to prevent being a victim in the first place.
Signs of Identity Theft
Your credit card company will call you and inquire about a purchase you made recently outside of the country. You know absolutely nothing about this. This is a definitive sign of identity theft, as someone as stolen your credit card number to purchase items.
Another obvious sign of identity theft is when your bank statements aren't adding up. You notice withdrawals or purchases that were made that you have no knowledge of. If this happens, check with the bank to verify whether this information is correct. If it is, then you can begin taking steps to limit the damage to your finances.
Also, if you haven't received any of your bills yet, then it's possible that a thief has stolen it from your mailbox. Then again, it could just mean they made a mistake. Either way, call the creditor and let them know of this.
Identity Theft Prevention
Always shred any receipts or documents with information that can be used against you. Bring in your mail as soon as possible to avoid the possibility of someone stealing it. Also, limit what you carry around with you. For instance, there is no reason to place your social security card in your wallet or purse unless you need it. This way, if you happened to get pick pocketed or your purse gets stolen, there is less for a thief to work with.
Prevention also applies to the internet as most of us have some personal information online. Having strong passwords helps protect unauthorized access to your accounts. Anti virus software is essential to protect against viruses that try to steal information. Avoid opening e-mails from people you don't know, but if you do then be very weary if they ask you for any personal details. Shop only at sites that you know are safe.
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