{"id":1097,"date":"2019-03-13T13:23:26","date_gmt":"2019-03-13T20:23:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betterdefend.com\/?p=1097"},"modified":"2019-02-22T13:25:12","modified_gmt":"2019-02-22T21:25:12","slug":"10-tips-on-how-to-prevent-identity-theft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betterdefend.com\/10-tips-on-how-to-prevent-identity-theft\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Tips on How to Prevent Identity Theft"},"content":{"rendered":"

Did you know that if you shop online, buy gas, visit the doctor, use a credit card, or do virtually anything online you\u2019re at risk of identity theft? Any credit card or debit card you may have, as well as your driver’s license, Social Security number, are all wanted by thieves.<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2018 alone, approximately <\/span>60 million people<\/span><\/a> have been affected by identity theft, according to an online survey by Harris Poll. Furthermore, almost 15 million people experienced identity theft in 2017. <\/span><\/p>\n

In addition, the latest data on ID crimes suggests that identity thieves are becoming increasingly sophisticated with their methods. So, if you think that identity theft will just magically stop somehow, it\u2019s time to wake up to the fact that identity theft happens once every two seconds.<\/span><\/p>\n

Preventing identity theft and retaining a good credit rating takes hard work. You must be willing to keep your end of the bargain to ensure your documents and credentials are safe to avoid becoming a victim. With that being said, we\u2019re going to teach you exactly how you can prevent identity theft.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Is Identity Theft?<\/span><\/h2>\n

It\u2019s one of the struggles of living in a digital age. Your doctor’s office could experience a data breach from identity thieves. You could come across a tampered credit card reader. Or you could unknowingly give your information to a fraudster, thinking that you are dealing with a legitimate site.<\/span><\/p>\n

But what exactly is identity theft? <\/span><\/p>\n

Identity theft occurs when an imposter uses your personal information to assume your identity to gain financial benefits or commit fraud. They often obtain key pieces of personally identifiable information such as your name, online login passwords, email addresses, passport number, Social Security number, bank account number, or driver\u2019s license info.<\/span><\/p>\n

10 Ways to Prevent Identity Theft<\/span><\/h2>\n

Now that you know the scary truth about identity theft, it\u2019s time to show you the best ways to prevent becoming a victim in the first place. Take a look at these top tips for how to protect yourself from ID theft.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Shred Everything<\/span><\/h3>\n

Dumpster diving is currently the easiest way imposters can get a hold of your information. So, if you\u2019re throwing out bills, credit card statements, ATM receipts, or medical statements, you\u2019re making it pretty easy for dumpster divers to learn a much more about you. In fact, they may learn enough to take over your accounts and ensure you become a victim. So, for the love of everything holy, shred your confidential documents!<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Watch Out for Shoulder Surfers<\/span><\/h3>\n

It\u2019s pretty clear that there will always be someone watching your every move, especially when you are using the ATM or a mobile device. As such, you want to be sure others aren\u2019t peering over your shoulder to make note of your pin or password. And just because you don\u2019t see anybody nearby, it doesn\u2019t mean they are not there. In addition, if you\u2019re using shared Wi-Fi, everyone else may see the data you submit. Therefore, only conduct sensitive transactions on secure networks.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Analyze Your Credit Report Annually<\/span><\/h3>\n

Unless you\u2019ve been living under a rock or on a different planet, you know that analyzing your credit report is one of the best ways to ensure there are no suspicious transactions that have been made. If you want to be in the loop and find out everything that goes on in your account, then you\u2019ll want to be more robust about analyzing your credit report.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Protect Your Social Security Number<\/span><\/h3>\n

Your Social Security number is, in essence, a sort of national identification number and anyone who is looking will be able to use it to steal your identity. While it\u2019s true that it\u2019s hard for someone to actually assume your identity without the actual digits, more likely, with your full name, address, and even just the last four digits of your Social Security number, an imposter could easily assume your identity.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are a few tips to help protect your Social Security number:<\/span><\/p>\n