Protecting yourself from credit fraud will save you all of the frustration and hassle that goes along with having someone steal your card. Most credit cards companies offer credit theft programs that protect you from being liable to pay back any of that stolen credit, but the thief still has all of your personal information.
The first step you should take to protect yourself is to stop carrying your social security card around. Memorize the number and leave the card at home or in another secure location in a very safe place. Only give out your social security number when it’s absolutely necessary and don’t ever give your number to a merchant over the phone or online- they do not need it to complete a transaction.
Don’t just throw away the financial statements you receive each month. Instead, go through each one meticulously to check for any opened accounts that aren’t yours. Do the same for your credit reports every 4-6 months.
One way credit thieves get your personal information is by stealing mail. To prevent this from happening to you, always check your mail regularly and don’t leave items in your mailbox.
Lastly, shred personal documents instead of throwing them away and only shop from trustworthy online merchants that provide a secure server.
