There are three things to do when protecting yourself against identity theft. The first is to keep your Social Security card and its number safe. Do not carry it in your wallet. When a business requests your Social Security number, ask why they need it, how it will be used and protected, and if you can still get the service offered without giving it. Your identity is strongly linked to that number; if you allow a number of businesses to access it and your identity is subsequently stolen, the number will act as a skeleton key of access to your personal information.
The second is to maintain constant vigilance while using the internet for both financial and personal purposes. Make sure the website is secure and reputable, and does not store your personal information without your approval. Use different passwords for different websites, and avoid using obvious choices like your mother’s maiden name. And remember, if a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.
The third thing to do to protect your identity is to make sure that your mail and trash are secure. You probably don’t need to put a combination lock on your trashcan or ask your waste collector for identification, but you should make sure any personal information — things like credit card offers or receipts — is shredded or otherwise destroyed. When mailing personal information, it is always a good idea to place it in a post office box or to drop it off at the post office, rather than leaving it out in an unsecured mailbox.
What about if your identity has already been stolen? Immediately close any accounts you believe may have been breached, and place a fraud alert on your credit reports. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission by phone or online. Finally, file a police report. Monitoring your accounts and credit report will help you detect and fight back against identity theft swiftly. The earlier you can take actions against identity theft, the more likely it is that you will be successful.