How to Reduce Your Exposure to Identity Theft

There are several things you can do to reduce the possibility of identity theft.

BUY A SHREDDER
You can find a small easy to store shredder for less that $20 at almost any office supply store. There is no reason not to have one of these. Any document that includes personal information or your Social Security number should be shredded before you throw it away.

KEEP YOUR FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS HIDDEN AND SECURE
You would think that most people are perfectly trustworthy but some are not. Is it possible that an appliance repair man, handy man or even a guest in your home could access your personal financial documents? Not if they are under lock and key!

PROTECT OUTGOING MAIL
Think of everything that goes in your mail. Checks give potential thieves your name, bank account number and routing number. Credit card account numbers are listed on the very coupons they mail each month to send your payments in. You do not want this stuff to get in the wrong hands. If you haven’t graduated to the great convenience of on line bill paying you should consider dropping off your bills at the nearest post office rather than leaving it out in your mail box where anyone can get it. Make sure your online bill pay offers encryption and other security measures to keep your transactions safe from criminals.

BE CAUTIOUS OF SOLICITORS
Don’t give out your credit card number, Social Security number, or any sensitive financial information by email and don’t do it by phone unless you initiated the contact. Make sure you trust the business before divulging any information.

OPT OUT OF CREDIT CARD AND JUNK MAIL SOLICITATIONS
The three major credit bureaus have a toll free number (888-5OPT-OUT) that allows you to take your name off marketing lists that are sold to credit card companies. Registering will not eliminate all credit card solicitations, but will cut down the volume quite a bit. The less offers you get in the mail means less chances thieves will have to steal them.

MONITOR YOUR CREDIT REPORTS
Once a year was considered sufficient to get your free credit report but experts say you should check your credit at least once a quarter. Our research has led us to believe that Identity Guard is one of the best tools to monitor your credit. Identity Guard not only provides you with credit reports and scores from all 3 bureaus for free, but also includes 3-bureau monitoring and protection against identity theft for only $14.99. This complete coverage includes the top-rated Zone Alarm ® Internet Security Software, daily scanning of public records and internet black markets for misuse of personal information, a free public record report and ongoing monitoring, and identity theft insurance. You also get quarterly updates to your credit report with all three scores. There’s no contract and you can cancel at anytime.

There was a reported 10 million cases of identity theft last year alone. Don’t let it happen to you. Reduce your exposure by following these simple tips and for added piece of mind seriously consider signing up for the Identity Guard protection. At the very least you'll get your free credit report.

http://www.creditscorecowboy.com/ is the best source for free credit score reports, identity theft software, and free information about how to manage your credit for free.