Practical ways to prevent identity theft
February 17, 2009 – 10:21 amOne of my friends asked me to write few ways on how to prevent identity theft. I was planning to include few more case studies on identity theft but due to the request of my friend I am jotting down few points on how we can prevent this crime to happen. The points are all my own view about the topic and the measures that I maintain to avoid this kind of crime to happen. I have also researched a bit on the web and tried to summarize few of them. I will expect some preventive measures from my readers too…… 
2) One should take care while talking about the personal information publicly or in phones.
3) If you are using an ATM, check the place thoroughly. If you feel any part of the ATM is not in its proper way then just avoid using that ATM.
4) While surfing your banking details from the café don’t ever click the save password option.
5) Online shopping can be very risky at times. I would suggest typing the full address of the online shopping website while placing an order in those sites. The identity theft criminals develops there own sites resembling the famous online shopping sites. Like this they get an easy access to the personal details that the customers may unknowingly type into those fake sites.
6) Another important thing is having an updated anti-virus so that you can stop the hackers to reach your PC.
7) Keep a thorough record of your credit card bills. If you miss one then take proper steps to know the reason. Never throw any document in the trash containing your personal details.
8) Keep checking your credit report frequently. If any discrepancies are seen take immediate action.
9) While traveling also you should take some precautions. Try not to carry lots of credit cards or documents containing personal information. If it is unavoidable then keep a photocopy of the documents.
10) Keep an update of your contact address in the banks or other institutions so that they can inform you at hand when any problem arises.
The above are few points that I follow. As I said before that some ideas are taken from some web research. I would like to hear some ideas from my readers. You may include a real life experience and the remedy of that. In my next post I will try to give a case study and few point with that how to avoid such things to happen. Hope that will help my readers.
25 Responses to “ Practical ways to prevent identity theft”
Hi Adriana
I think you've got most of the important points covered. However, situation beyond our control happens such as snatch thefts or car break-in. Extra precautions should be heeded to avoid such thefts which can result in identity thefts too.
By Wenny Yap on Feb 18, 2009
Great post..
By Thanate on Feb 19, 2009
Hi and thanks for the add at BlogCatalog. Great, informative and readable blog - keep up the good work on an important subject.
By RennyBA on Feb 20, 2009
good day Adriana,
you have nice article, keep to posted.
http://rasanusa.blogspot.com
By Gusn on Feb 20, 2009
It hurts so much when someone steal our identity. I have bad experience with it. Your post will be a good reminder for me. Thanks
By edoniche on Feb 20, 2009
great idea.. stay post
By zackyza on Feb 20, 2009
great idea.. keep posting
By zackyza on Feb 20, 2009
Thanks Dear Andriana, for sharing your thoughts on making the world a little better through caution and care for each other.
By Ram Bansal on Feb 20, 2009
Very solid article.
Some folks may think that what you've listed is too much trouble but it only feels that way till you have your identity stolen!
By Alexander M Zoltai on Feb 20, 2009
Very useful information. My sister was a victim of identity theft and it was so much trouble to fix it. She even had to hire a lawyer to help her. It was a horrible experience and I hope it won't happen to me.
By Leoneli on Feb 20, 2009
It's a very good advise. I'll keep following you.
By rusliesophian on Feb 20, 2009
hi....was here again wow is nice and good site u have, i like in here
By harry seenthing on Feb 20, 2009
this information is very useful - in these times we need to stay vigilant - thank you for reminding us!
By stoney on Feb 20, 2009
Great ideas. Heard many before but always need to be reminded.
By savvygray on Feb 21, 2009
Hey, have a nice blog, very informative blog... Keep posting for your latest news...
By Djhonnald on Feb 21, 2009
this is very helpful. Thanks!
By Vanity's Child on Feb 21, 2009
Andriana,
Good advice. Being an American Expat and living in the Philippines it is good to be aware of how to protect yourself. Most of us have a US bank account and being so far away cannot run down to the local branch.
Keep up the good advice and if you have time, visit my site and read what an Expats life is like
By Bruce on Feb 21, 2009
great ideas
By hkki on Feb 21, 2009
Andriana, very informative and good advise! thanks for the helpful information!
Great post!
By Daniel Ng on Feb 21, 2009
great post. Thanks for share.
By vnhan2009 on Feb 22, 2009
Very nice post
By Aree on Feb 23, 2009
Thank you for the good article on identity theft.
See you around.
By lunaticg on Feb 25, 2009
Adriana,
this is an excellent blog. Please keep up the good work warning people how to avoid identity theft, which is the fastest growing crime in the US!
One more hint for your readers - get a paper shredder and shred all of your junk mail, and any statements or records that you wish to discard before you put it in the trash.
Your trash is one of the easiest places for id thieves to gain access to your personal information.
By Carrie on Feb 26, 2009
@ Carrie
Thank you so much for visiting my blog and sharing your knowledge with my visitors.
Well, your paper shredder idea have alarmed me too!
Adriana
By Adriana on Feb 26, 2009
This is great advice, especially the one about making sure that no one is around at the ATM. Thanks for posting these!
By Gitte Gorzelak on Feb 28, 2009