Preventing Identity Theft

Nobody has complete control of their personal information anymore. It’s entrusted to government, employers, schools, hospitals, banks and creditors, and is stored digitally in their files. Unfortunately, every time we hear of another data breach, we’re reminded again of our vulnerability. Though it’s impossible to be absolutely identity-theft proof, the easiest and most important steps toward preventing identity theft are in your control.

Start with your wallet
Most identity theft starts with a lost or stolen wallet, so here is where to start for preventing identity theft.

• Carry only one credit card; put the rest in a lockbox or home safe.
• Don’t carry a checkbook unless you know you’ll need it. Again, lock it up.
• Don’t carry your Social Security card, or your child’s. You know the drill--lock them up.
• If you have a Medicare card, it probably has your Social Security number on it. Instead of carrying the card with you, photocopy it and blacken out the last four digits. That’s enough information for you to receive emergency care, but doesn’t give identity thieves much to work with. The original card gets locked up.
• Photocopy everything else you leave in your wallet, and lock up the copy with your other documents.

Now, let’s talk about your mailbox and preventing identity theft
Next to lost wallets, this is where most identity theft starts, so spend a little time or a little money and tighten up.

• Your safest option is to get a post office box and do away with your home mailbox entirely. But if you don’t want to do that…
• Never leave outgoing mail in the box. Drop it in a mail collection box, or at the post office. Pay as many bills as possible online.
• Never leave incoming mail in the box. Ask to receive statements electronically rather than by mail.
• Replace your old mailbox with one that locks.

Next step to preventing identity theft, lock down your computers at home and at work
The following tips are important for desktop computers, but count doubly for laptops. Along with flash drives and other portable devices, laptops are the most common cause of data breaches.

• Set an access password, so nobody else can log onto your computer.
• Don’t leave your passwords lying around; store them in an encrypted file on your computer.
• Passwords should be at least eight characters long, and consist of upper and lower case letters along with numbers and special characters. It’s a good idea to use an easily remembered phrase, for example: !H8Mndaz (I hate Mondays).
• Encrypt all sensitive files.
• Always turn off your computer when you’re not using it
• Never let your laptop out of your sight. When traveling, consider carrying a less obvious backpack instead of a standard laptop case.

Take a good look around the house
It’s sad to say, but a lot of personal information is stolen by friends, family members or employees who work in victims’ homes. Don’t give them easy access.

• Make sure incoming mail is out of sight. If it has your personal information on it, but you don’t need to keep it, shred it. If you need it, put it in a safe, a lock box, or a locking desk drawer.
• Your checkbook and canceled checks should be kept under lock and key.

The very best way for preventing identity theft
The best step you can take toward preventing identity theft is enrolling in a program like LoudSiren.

• If your identity has ever been stolen, or you think it could be in the future, LoudSiren will contact the major credit reporting corporations to have fraud alerts placed on your records. With a fraud alert, prospective creditors are required to contact you to confirm your identity.
• When you’re a LoudSiren customer, their Safe Phone Number system shields your phone numbers from potential identity thieves. Your unique LoudSiren Voice Key means you can accept or reject a credit application with a single push of a button on your telephone.
• For as long as you want them to, they’ll keep the fraud alerts from expiring by renewing them every 90 days.
• They’ll give you the option of receiving a copy of your credit report annually for as long as you’re a customer.
• They’ll take care of getting your name off junk mail and phone solicitation lists.

LoudSiren takes preventing identity theft to a whole new level. To learn more about the LoudSiren Identity Protection Network™ Click Here.

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