Identity theft is on almost everyone’s mind nowadays. Consumers worry about the security of their information when purchasing online, sending checks through the mail, even when giving information to medical, governmental and business offices that were previously considered “safe”. As we see more and more instances of identity thieves getting smarter and hitting bigger and bigger sources, like corporate websites, we need to know how to keep ourselves as safe as possible. Although identity theft can happen to anyone, certain individuals put themselves at a higher risk by choosing certain risk behaviors. These behaviors include not shredding documents, not checking credit reports frequently, giving out personal information over the phone or internet, and using wireless devices to conduct sensitive personal business, like banking.

Not Shredding Documents

Even with all the buzz about identity theft, many people still do not shred their mail, or they aren’t shredding enough of their mail. When it comes time to dispose of bank statements, paycheck stubs, and tax papers out of your files (anywhere from two years to seven years), you must shred these papers, preferable in a cross cut shredder. A cross cut shredder makes it harder to reassemble the pieces and commit identity theft. If you don’t believe people would rummage through your garbage and put your personal papers back together like some sort of financial jigsaw puzzle, then you don’t know enough about how sneaky and low identity thieves can be.

Not Checking Credit Report

A couple of years ago, in a movement to protect consumers from identity theft, the federal government forced the three major credit reporting agencies to offer one free credit report to every person requesting one. The three major credit agencies are Experian, Trans Union and Equifax. A website, www.annualcreditreport.com, is set up to help direct consumers to the credit agency websites to obtain their free reports. By spanning it correctly, you can receive a free credit report every four months. Without checking your report, it may take a lot longer to notice fraudulent accounts created from identity theft, which can make cleaning your credit much more difficult.

Giving Out Personal Information

Individuals who give out personal information over the phone or because of emails are usually not only victims of the thieves but also of not knowing their rights. Criminals who commit identity theft are customarily very smart and they know how to scare and intimidate their victims. This is why they send email posing as your bank or mortgage holder asking for immediate “updating” of information or horrible things, like foreclosure, could occur. This is why they call up pretending to be medical agencies just needed to verify personal information to ensure that your doctors will be able to continue treating you. Normally these individuals act very pleasant, even helpful, until you tell them that you won’t give out your information. Then the threats and abusive intimidation starts. Know your rights, you are never obligated to give out personal information if you don’t want to.

Conducting Personal Business On Wireless Technology

Recently there has been more research done on the security of wireless technology, such as cell phones, and laptops. Some studies have shown that there has been an increase in identity theft reports from wireless users. It is easier for identity theft hackers to get into wireless transmissions than regular Internet connections. For this reason it is a good idea to never pay bills, access bank accounts or conduct business requiring personal information on a wireless connection.