Best Practices (Tips) For Protecting Your Identity
Identity protection is something we always hear about but often don’t take seriously enough. Without enabling a few of the best practices for protecting your identity, you could find yourself in a world of hurt. Though there’s no guarantee your delicate information will never be accessed by someone unauthorized, there are ways to safeguard against some of the most avoidable potential breaches.
Passwords
It’s absolutely vital to have passwords and passcodes preventing your sensitive information from being seen by others. To avoid excessive material from being looked at, it’s best to use different passwords, PINs, and passcodes for different things. For example, do not use the same PIN for two separate debit cards or the same login password for two individual credit card sites. Changing up your codes will help eliminate the possibility of several breaches.
Reviewing Reports
Even if you’ve gone paperless, review credit card statements regularly. Keeping an eye out for suspicious activity is a great preventative measure. Stopping theft activity as early as possible will save you time and stress and keep you and your bank or credit company on alert.
Shredding
For any physical documentation with any level of sensitivity, shredding is best. There are multiple shredder options based on your needs, the level of durability of the documents you shred, and the frequency in which you’ll use the shredder. Sift through your mail and papers at least once a month and destroying the pieces you no longer need. Staying current by terminating unnecessary information will keep it from getting lost or misplaced and possibly viewed by the wrong people.
Storing Important Documents
Many people haven’t been taught how to properly store sensitive documentation. People often keep their social security card in their wallet. Birth documents establish a person’s identity. If for any reason, these get lost, misplaced, or stolen, identity theft could occur. Though you may replace these items, the originals are still floating around when they should have been stored at home in a safe, firebox, or safety deposit box.
There’s no 100 percent guarantee someone won’t try to steal your identity or open a credit line in your name. Being alert and remain vigilant when combing through the activity will help you maintain peace of mind and privacy. Follow these best practices for protecting your identity and do what you must to save yourself a headache or accrued debt from someone pretending to be you. Your credit depends on it.
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