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Being aware of identity theft
Moving into spring with tax season behind us, now is an ideal time to go through your budget and make sure everything is on order with no discrepancies. One of the main reasons I place so much emphasis on this comes from the growing threat of identity theft that is impacting people all over the world.
Recent statistics from the IRS have highlighted the severity of this problem and just how pervasive it has become within our society, targeting virtually anyone who shows the slightest sign of vulnerability. According to new data from the IRS, there are currently 300 active cases of identity theft that the agency is reviewing, while the state of Florida has had over 33,000 people affected in one way or another.
How are victims of identity theft targeted?
Anyone with crucial information pertaining to their finances (account numbers, credit card numbers, social security, etc.) that has the potential to be exposed will be prime targets for criminals looking specifically for individuals with some form of financial susceptibility.
How can we protect our identities?
There are three main steps that you can take in order to make your identity more secure and impenetrable to prospective “identity thieves”:
- Organize – Any paper statements or financial information you receive via mail should be processed and itemized, with any corresponding receipts being compared to make sure your purchase amounts match between your statements and receipts.
- When disposing of any financial information, ALWAYS SHRED! Whether you want to utilize certain locations designated for shredding, or if you have a personal shredder for yourself, make sure that you always dispose of your financial documents through shredding. Don’t ever let your guard down and resort to a trash bag; this is not safe!
- Another avenue to explore, depending on your level of comfort with technology, involves going paperless and receiving all your bills and statements via email. For many people, e-statements allow them to manage their finances more efficiently while still maintaining their security.
- USPS Mailboxes – When sending out any sensitive information regarding your finances, it’s definitely worthwhile to go out of your way and deposit them in a secure USPS mailbox. This way you can ensure their safety, since only postal workers will have access to them.
- Check your Credit Report – Make a habit out of consistently checking your credit report for things that may seem incorrect or fraudulent. At www.cccsn.org, under the Tools tab, you’ll find a link to www.annualcreditreport.com, which will provide further information on how to contest items that appear suspicious or wrong.
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Again I cannot place enough emphasis on taking as many precautionary measures as possible, as this is the most effective way to combat identity theft.
Once again thank you for visiting my blog and always feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.
Again I cannot place enough emphasis on taking as many precautionary measures as possible, as this is the most effective way to combat identity theft.
Once again thank you for visiting my blog and always feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.
