Last year nearly 12 million Americans fell victim to identity thieves. The bad credit ratings that those victims were left with could potentially harm them for years to come. Identity theft can be costly and may be a nightmare to contend with. Consumers are not, however, powerless in their efforts to thwart scammers out to swipe their identities. There is a simple, effective way to decrease the odds that you will be among those who are hit by these scammers: shredding sensitive documents before discarding them.
Because your household’s trash day can easily be a crook’s “cash day,” anything useful to those in the identity theft racket should be shredded before making its trip to the landfill. The Better Business Bureau has put together a list of documents that ought to be shredded when discarded by conscientious consumers:
· Any document containing Social Security numbers, birthdates, PIN numbers or passwords
· Banking documents or any others containing financial information
· Leases, contracts or letters that include signatures
· Pre-approved credit card applications
· Medical or dental bills
· Travel itineraries
· Used airline tickets
· Insurance forms
· Utility billing statements
As important as shredding is to your identity’s security, there are more precautions that should be taken as well. Here’s what else you should be doing to keep your identity to yourself:
Cut up all expired credit and debit cards. Remember to cut through the cards’ numbers when you do this.
Protect Social Security numbers, account numbers and passwords. Do not carry them in your wallet. Give them out only when absolutely necessary. Beware of unsolicited e-mails and phone calls asking for these numbers.
Secure your personal documents kept at home. If you employ outside help, have contractors in your residence or have a roommate, be sure your personal documents are in a safe place and not lying out in plain view.
Keep personal information that is printed on your checks to a minimum. You don’t have to include your Social Security number, driver’s license number or phone number.
Monitor your bank and credit card transactions. Read your statements carefully for unauthorized transactions. Crooks may start with small transactions to test whether you are paying attention.
Be aware of billing cycles. If a bill doesn’t arrive on time, check with your creditor to find out why.
Don’t create obvious passwords. Avoid using birth dates, children’s names, mother’s maiden name or the last four digits of your Social Security number.
Don’t conduct business online with a public computer. Your personal computer is more secure.
Don’t use e-mail to communicate personal sensitive information. Neither your bank, credit card company, online payment system nor the IRS will call or e-mail asking for your confidential information. They have it already.
Your Better Business Bureau is offering free onsite document shredding on Saturday, October 20, at Lawrence Dumont Stadium in Wichita. The event will be from 9am until noon. If you have any questions about identity theft or about our shredding event, call us at (800) 856-2417 or visit our website at www.kansasplains.bbb.org.