7 Common Mistakes You Should Avoid While Protecting Your Identity
Friday, April 8, 2016, 6:00 PM | Leave Comment
Millions of people have fallen prey to identity thieves around the world. It was simply the lack of procuring effective means of protection that this has happened.
Luckily, there are now enough ways to fix this problem. But, still many people are victims of this crime.
Below are some of the possible reasons why identity theft is still rampant.
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Not protecting your Social Security Number
The Social Security Number is very important because it is the only proof of one’s identity. No one, except the employers, personal banking and credit card companies know about this number.
So, it is crucial that this number is not disclosed unless it’s really necessary. Never ever declare the full number over the phone, because some people can pretend to be you once they’ve stolen your identity.
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Shopping at suspect websites
Scammers can create fraudulent sites by selling well-known products at an often unbelievable discounted price. While shopping, they can steal your identity in the process.
Do not be fooled by these websites as they can steal your credit card and contact information, as soon as you enter these data to purchase.
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Opening emails from unknown senders
Never ever open an email that has an unknown sender and unknown subject. It may contain viruses and executable codes that could start once the email is opened.
If ever you receive such an email, delete it and empty the Trash folder of your email service so it doesn’t become a threat.
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Skipping antivirus software
Skipping the antivirus software makes your system prone to bugs, spyware, spam, and identity theft. These annoyances can slow down processing speeds, delete critical and important personal files and images and can even cause irreparable damage.
Antivirus software can prevent all that, as it can also keep your financial data, Social Security Number, passwords, credit card numbers safe.
If you want to look for an alternative solution, you can check out some identity theft protection reviews.
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Using Public Wi-Fi for financial transactions
Avoid using the public Wi-Fi for handling important matters such as financial transactions. It can compromise the privacy and safety of your transactions in a flash, as there are hotspot hackers around just waiting to pounce.
So, if you must make a transaction in public, make sure you are on a trusted network with your own device that is protected by security software. Also, remember to always log-out after every transaction.
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Taking your check book outside your home
It is best to leave your check book at home. You never know what’s going to happen when you’re out and about.
You may be a victim of pickpockets and hold uppers when you’re in town. They can steal your purse containing your wallet, check books and other valuables.
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Forgetting about ID protection while on vacation
To fully enjoy your vacation, you need to take extra precautions to protect your identity from identity thefts; they just might ruin it for you.
You can contact your bank and credit card Company ahead of time to inform them that you’ll be on a vacation. This will help them detect and prevent charges done in other locations and only allow charges made from your destination.
Sometimes, it is not about the lack of antivirus software’s alone, that people lose their identity. It is also the lack or the apathy of taking precautions when dealing with important matters every day. So, before you mouth out your personal information and other financial security numbers, be wary of everything.
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