Marilyn Bohn

Protecting Your Identity from Identity Fraud



Posted: Tuesday, February 12, 2008

by
Get It Together Organizing

I have a friend who has been the victim of identity theft twice.  She said it is like living in a nightmare.  It took literally years to get it cleared up. Along with the stress it caused it was also expensive getting it cleared up.

Identity theft or identity fraud is the fastest growing crime in the United States. It is the taking of a victim's identity for financial gain or to conceal the real identify of the perpetrator.

All the thief needs is access to your Social Security number, your date of birth, or sometimes just your address and telephone number.  With this information they can pretend to be you. They can open new credit card accounts, access your present bank accounts, rent a house or apartment, establish utility company accounts, and even obtain a job—all in your name.

I had $10,000.00 taken out of my bank account when I visited Brazil a few years ago. I didn't even realize it until after I returned home I gave my debit card to my daughter to go to the grocery store and she said my card wouldn't work. I didn't think much about it, thinking the store was having a problem with their machine. The next day I tried to use it and again was denied.  I immediately went to my credit union and was told the awful news. Because they are insured I was not out any money, but in the long run we all pay for theft and it was scary.

Steps to take to make it more difficult for these thieves to obtain your personal information:

• Don't carry your Social Security number in your wallet or write your Social Security number on a check. Only give out your social security number when absolutely necessary. Some banks have it set up so you can give them a code that only you will know instead of asking for your social security number. Insurance companies can also do this.
• Health Insurance or Medicare Card: If you must carry an insurance card that includes you SSN or a Medicare card, photocopy the original card and cut it down to wallet size. Then blacken out with a sharpie pen or cut out the last four digits of the SSN on the copy. Carry the copy with you rather than the actual card.
• State Drivers Licenses: On December 17, 2005 a new law went into effect that applies to all State licenses, registrations, and identification cards issued after that date.  If your license still uses your SSN as the ID number, you can request this to be changed. You don't need to wait until it expires to get one with a different number, though they may charge a fee.

Your Trash and Mail

• Always shred your charge receipts, copies of credit applications, insurance forms, checks and bank statements, expired charge cards, credit offers you get in the mail and any other documents which contain personal information. Some mail comes with checks already filled out in your name and someone could get a hold of these and write them out for cash.
• Mail: When mailing anything containing personal identifying information mail from the post office rather than in an unsecured mailbox. Promptly remove mail from your mailbox. If you are planning on being away from home arrange for someone else to collect your mail or contact the U.S. Postal Service to request a vacation hold. If you live in a small community of just a few thousand people do not be lulled into thinking theft doesn't occur where you live. Some of the quietest residential neighborhoods are the best targets for thieves.

Credit Cards

• Unsolicited Offers: To opt out of receiving prescreened offers of credit in the mail, call 1-888-567-8688. You will be asked to provide your SSN which the consumer reporting companies need to match you with your file. (I know this is scary to give your number over the phone).
• When you are on vacation notify your card company where you will be so they won't put a hold on charges that are occurring out of your normal usage area.

Shopping Online

Protect your private information while shopping online. Look for a URL that begins with 'https://', or the words 'Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)" or a padlock in the status bar. These signs indicate that only you and the merchant can view your payment information.

Identity theft is a real threat but we can take steps to protect ourselves from this crime.

Get It Together Organizing is a dynamic organizing company providing both online and in home services. Professional Organizer Marilyn Bohn specializes in organizing for women and seniors who want the organized home of their dreams. She is the author of the popular book Go Organize!  Her product line includes cutting-edge online video workshops for your organizing needs. Sign up for great and free organizing tips  http://www.marilynbohn.com
 
Marilyn Bohn is the owner of Get it Together Organizing, a business dedicated to developing practical organizing solutions that help individuals and business professionals live clutter-free and productive lives. She is the author of "Go Organize! Conquer Clutter in Three Simple Steps" and is an experienced, enthusiastic public speaker, a member of NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers) and the author of hundreds of articles covering various organizing topics.

Marilyn takes the often stressful subject of organizing and breaks it down into a simple, easy to understand system. Her methods are both eye-opening and encouraging! She has a passion for helping others reach their personal goals and living a better, clutter-free life!

Marilyn invites you to discover her one-of-a-kind video workshops and organizing ideas at http://www.marilynbohn.com

This Article has been viewed 120 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
No comments yet.
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.