How to Prevent ID Theft

How to Prevent ID Theft

Identity theft is a growing problem in today’s digital age. 1 out of 10 U.S. consumers have fell victim to identity theft! Now more than ever before, identity theft is becoming more prevalent. Thieves have greater access to information and assets that could be detrimental to you. Being vigilant and taking precautions to prevent identity theft before it happens is the best course of action. Of course, even the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry. The most careful person may still fall victim to identity theft. This is why it’s imperative to get ID theft insurance. But, here are some helpful tips to prevent ID theft!

 

• Be careful with your Social Security Number (SSN).
  • Don’t carry your SSN card in your wallet
  • Do not give it out unless absolutely necessary

• Don’t answer suspicious requests for personal information.
  • This can take the form of phishing emails, phone calls, or the mail
  • If you are ever in doubt, call your respective company to ask if this request is valid
• Collect your mail promptly
  • If you plan on being away for a period of time, request that the post office hold your mail until you get back
• Be aware of your billing cycles. If your bills or statements are late, contact the sender.
• After receiving billing statements, review the charges and transactions
  • Be aware of any charges that seem suspicious
  • Contact the sender if there are any discrepancies
• Enable any security features on websites and on your phone
• When on public Wi-Fi, update sharing and firewall settings
  • Some thieves may be able to access your sensitive information on public Wi-Fi
  • Consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
• Shred your documents, such as credit card statements and account information, that contain personal information
  • By doing so, you will prevent dumpster divers from finding your discarded documents.
• Make sure that your passwords are secure and complex
  • Update your passwords frequently
• Store your personal information in a secure place at home or at work.
• Check your credit report at least once per year
  • Make sure there aren’t accounts that you did not open.

 

 

You should also contact your insurance agent to discuss ID theft coverage. By having it on your homeowners, renters, or condo insurance policy, it can help protect you from fraud. ID theft can result in lawsuits, bad credit score, and difficulty in obtaining loans. These situations can be costly and troubling.

 

Supplemental ID theft coverage is a great option to help protect against these situations. If you fall victim to ID theft, then you will be connected to a fraud specialist who will help you regain control of your identity. Doing this on your own can be a time-consuming a tedious process. They will help you replace important documents including driver’s licenses, passports, Social Security cards and other IDs if necessary. They are also alble to help you take preventative measures so it does not happen again. ID coverage can also help cover lost wages, etc, that are incurred as a result of restoring your ID!

Contact your insurance agent to discuss ID theft coverage! You can also read more about it here! Call an Encharter agent at 888.754.8299! We are always happy to help!

 

 

Additional Sources:

https://www.usa.gov/identity-theft

Read More