Ways To Protect Your Personal Information At Home and Away

Identity theft has no boundaries. It can happen to you at home, away at college, on vacation, or while traveling on business. In fact, the top seven places where identity theft occurs are in the home, over the Internet, in the workplace, at the ATM, at schools, over the phone and via the U.S. mail. Here are ways you can protect your personal information at home and away:

At Home

Your greatest risks for identity theft are in and around your home. Your mailbox, telephone and computer are all typical vehicles used to commit the crime. Here are some tips for securing your home to prevent identity theft:

  • If your mailbox isn’t secure, consider getting a post office box.
  • Beware of telephone calls asking for account information or PIN numbers.
  • When using your home computer, be aware of online threats, such as phishing, viruses and spyware, that compromise your personal and financial information.
  • Never share personal or financial information with neighbors or relatives.
  • Unless your mobile phone is secure, never give out a credit card number or PIN number over it.
  • If your credit or debit card expired and you didn’t receive a new one, or if you applied for a credit card and never received it, contact the issuer immediately.
  • If you fail to receive a credit card bill or bank statement, contact them immediately.
  • When disposing of old computers, remove all storage drives.
  • Always shred mail containing your personal information or special codes that are used to access your personal information.
  • Take out the trash the morning of trash pick-up day to prevent thieves from rummaging through your garbage for documents with personal information that might have gotten by you.

    • At Work

    Although fellow employees account for most work-related identity thefts, a large number of cases are also linked to companies not properly securing employees’ personal information. Here are ways to protect your identity at the office:

  • Ask the company how it stores and disposes of job applications and former employee files.
  • Never leave personal information, such as your Social Security number, driver’s license, or other sensitive documents, out in the open on your desk where coworkers can see them.
  • Rather than put your Social Security number on a job application, wait until you are offered the job before supplying it.

    • When Traveling Or Running Errands

    Whether traveling for business or pleasure, or just running errands around town, guarding your personal and financial information is paramount. These tips will keep your identity safe when out and about:

  • Use a securely located ATM. Popular tourist areas are known to be populated with fake ATM machines.
  • Only travel with two credit cards.
  • Never access personal or financial information on a public computer.
  • If using a wireless device, make sure it is secure.
  • Make use of the hotel’s safe when you leave your room.
  • If renting a car, keep your personal information on you, not in the car.
  • Never tell about your travel plans on social networking sites or other online venues.
  • Save your credit card receipts and shred them when you get home.
  • Never carry your Social Security card in your wallet unless you need it.
  • When traveling, use a travel pouch or fanny pack to carry important documents, such as passports, hotel and rental car reservations, and health insurance cards.
  • Never leave your PDA, mobile phone, or laptop unattended, especially at the airport, hotel lobbies, or in restaurants.
  • When conducting transactions, be watchful of people looking over your shoulder to see your information or listening in to your mobile phone conversations.
  • When using public restrooms, women should never hang their handbags on the door hook. A thief can easily grab it from over the door before you have a chance to react. The same goes for putting it on the floor next to you. As an alternative, hang the bag on your shoulder or around your body.

    • Away At School

  • Living in a dorm invites identity theft. But students can reduce their risk by following these suggestions:
  • Make sure your school mailbox is secure and those handling and putting mail in your box follow U.S. Postal Service regulations.
  • Add a password prompt to your laptop and encrypt any documents that contain sensitive data, such as student loan forms.
  • Store your personal information in a secret place in your dorm room or student house where it is difficult to find.
  • Keep a watchful eye on your purse or wallet when at dorm parties or clubs.

    • Related Topics: Identity Theft Resource