Be Safe With Your MailMany people find it convenient to leave their outgoing mail in their mailbox. This is not a good idea if you have any identifying information on the papers inside, or if you are mailing checks. People have been known to take your mail, open it, and get into your checking account or other identifying information to steal your identity.
"Can You Hear Me?" Phone ScamThere is a new phone scam. The caller identifies himself as a business and then asks if you can hear clearly. If you say, "Yes", your voice is recorded. Purchases are then made. When you say you didn't order the product or service, your recorded "Yes" answer is the "proof" that you did.
Soak Important Paperwork Instead of ShreddingSometimes I put papers in the sink with hot soapy water and let them soak. They are easy to tear and mix into tight balls. When dry, these balls will be impossible to break apart for any information.
Protect Bank Cards With FoilI now wrap my CC and debit cards in an aluminum foil wrap. This prevents anyone from downloading the numbers if they try to scan my purse. This practice is also good if you carry your Social Security and health cards.
2010 Phone Scam WarningThis morning I was awakened by a telephone caller who politely asked "Mr. X please? May I speak to X?" I replied "Yes, this is he; who is this?" She said: "You need to verify that this is X first; please tell me the last 4 numbers of your Social Security!" "WHAT?"
Keep Your Social Security Number PrivateThose of us who have Medicare cards know our social security numbers are on them. I had always wondered about that, since it is not a good idea to carry your social security card with you.
Destroy Sensitive Papers by Soaking ThemHere's an idea if you have a large amount of paper that needs to be shredded and have a small shredder that can handle only so much or the motor gets hot if it runs too long.
Put Sensitive Shredded Documents in Used DiapersFor those who still have diaper duty at home and shred their sensitive documents. Throw some of that shredded paper in the diaper before you wrap it up and toss it out. No one will be willing to try and piece that info back together.
Know Your Computer Repair PersonWhen you hand over your computer to a repair service, do you realize that once they get your computer to function, EVERY bit of personal (and possibly financial) information is at their disposal.
Prevent Identity Theft Via PhishingLet's talk emails. You get the cute ones from friends , the important ones from work and family and then you get the ones that are disguised. These emails are set up to fool you and convince you to give information that sets you up for a fall. Possibly for identity theft.
Save Wear on Your ShredderKeep a pair of scissors near your paper shredder. Then you can cut the private information off of the page, and shred that. Keep the rest of that sheet for scratch paper.
No Shredder? Burn Your Personal PaperworkClearing out that pile of old bank statements, getting rid of old paystubs or old income tax forms?If you have a paper shredder, you're good to go! I don't have a shredder, but I do have a chiminey!
Check Online Banking Balance FrequentlyCheck your online banking frequently! Someone has stolen my debit card and has been taking $75.00 per day from our checking account. I have not used it at any unfamiliar places. They have stolen over $600.00.
Keeping Your Identity SafeTips to keep your identity safe:
Address Labels Can Get Stuck In ShredderBeware of shredding those free address labels you get in the mail. I had a shredder that previously handled (quite nicely) the address labels - and then it didn't. I'll have to replace the unit.
Safeguarding Personal InformationAlways keep your personal information stored in a safe deposit box.
I.D. Theft InsuranceBe sure to have ID theft insurance. With some insurance companies, you can even add it on to your homeowners policy for a small fee.
Protect Your Identity Without Using A ShredderProtect Your Identity Without Using A Shredder. Save time and money by not shredding mail. The shredder costs money and the shredding can take quite a bit of time. But I don't want anyone to be able to get bank account numbers. . .
Identity Theft and Your TrashBeware if anyone is going thru your trash. I know a lady who isn't at home much during the daytime. One day the UPS man showed up at her house with a whole truckload of packages for her. When she insisted that she'd not ordered anything, he said, "well, they're all addressed to you".
Don't Print Social Security Number on ChecksWith all the identity theft that goes on it is a smart thing to keep your Social Security numbers off of your checks. Also, the state in which we live will use your social security number as your driver's license number unless you ask them to do differently.
What to Do If You Lose Your Purse or WalletWe've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed using your name, address, SS#, credit, etc. Here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know.
