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IDENTITY THEFT

Below are some tips to make your identity safer as unprecedented numbers of everyday people just like you, are having their identity stolen and their lives ruined.

The consequences of having your identity stolen are many, and the time it will take you to restore your name and credit status a long, frustrating and emotionally draining road. However, simply by initiating just a few of these tips below will strengthen and protect your identity just that much more!

About the home.

1. Don’t discard mail with your personal particulars still on the envelope
2. Don’t discard bank or credit card statements into the garbage bin. Mini shredders are widely available from major electrical store.
3. If you keep statements from the bank for your records, make sure they are kept in a secure environment, (locked filing cabinet, safe etc with other valuable documents like insurance policies, wills and other personal papers)
4. Don’t leave mail sitting in your letterbox for an extended period of time, have someone you trust collect your mail and keep it safe.
5. Consider a Post Office box for your mail. The annual cost far outweighs the loss you will suffer from identity theft!
6. Never give out personal details over the phone to marketers or people you do not know.

Out and about

1. Be alert to others around you especially when you are using an ATM
2. If you lose your purse or wallet, report it immediately and have your credit cards cancelled.
3. Never lose sight of your credit card especially at café’s, restaurants and other establishments. It only takes a couple of seconds to write down your credit card number and 3 digit check number on the back. The card or signature is not needed to make purchases over the internet or by phone!!
4. Never give your PIN to anyone! There are also legal obligations in this respect and you may still be responsible for any debt suffered if you have disclosed your PIN.
5. Keep your mobile phone Bluetooth function in hidden mode. When in discoverable mode you are susceptible to others “bonding” with your mobile.

On the Computer

1. Use a good anti virus, anti phishing, anti spam program and keep it up to date.
2. If you are using a wireless system to connect to the internet use a trusted security setting heavily encrypted to prevent external access to your network.
3. Use passwords preferably with 16+ characters, use upper and lower case and alpha numeric combinations.
4. Watch for Security Certificate alerts and understand what they mean. Read the message and decide whether it is safe to continue.
5. Never respond to emails requesting your PIN or other personal details. Banks and other financial institutions DO NOT request these details over the internet. Contact your financial institution immediately if you receive these emails and note the email address from where it originated.
6. If you receive something that seems easy money or to good to be true, in all probability it is. Do not reply and delete the message immediately.

Follow these simple tips and protect your identity. If you want more information please feel free to email The Acclaim Group from our contact page.