July 29, 2009

Identity Theft: Tips to Avoid Becoming the Next Victim

Statistics show that identity theft and credit card fraud are becoming the fastest growing crimes around the world. Last year, nearly 10 million consumers were affected by identity theft, increasing by 22% from 2007 reported numbers. An article on ezinearticles.com provides 5 tips you can use to help protect your identity:

1. Shred: Any personal information that is no longer needed should be shredded. Use a heavy-duty shredder that shreds your documents into confetti. If you do not have access to a shredder, become a human shredder and rip them up as much as possible. This process becomes a deterrent for thieves attempting to piece your documents back together.
2. Monitor: Routinely review your financial and credit accounts to check for suspicious activity.
3. Investigate: Before clicking on email links, confirm that the email is from a reliable source. Do not click on links from unsolicited emails that request your personal information.
4. Safeguard: Provide yourself with an extra layer of password protection by using a combination of symbols, numbers, and letters. Make sure you do not use passwords that can be easily detected such as birthdates, your name, or the last four digits of your social security number.
5. Secure: Keep your personal information in a safe, secure place. Do not carry all of your personal identification documents (social security card, etc.) in your wallet or purse. Once you have completed your use for these items for school purposes (student employment, etc.) secure them in your apartment / dorm room until you can take them back home.

To find out more of what you can do to protect your personal information or to see if your identity has been compromised, visit the Federal Trade Commission.

Bernita Williams, M.B.A.
Assistant Director, Financial Fitness