| There are many ways that you can prevent identity | | | | prevent identity theft is to never give your ATM or |
| theft. Your first step is to become aware of some of | | | | credit card to a second party to use. You should |
| the more unusual methods that criminals can use to | | | | always keep your PIN number in a separate place |
| steal an identity. | | | | from your cards if you must write it down at all. |
| A stolen identity can easily be obtained from | | | | Another pointer is to never tell anyone your PIN |
| something as simple as a carbon copy from your | | | | number. |
| credit card receipt. Although most stores are phasing | | | | One of the latest scams is a criminal who phones you |
| these antique mechanical card processors out of | | | | up and says that they are with your credit card |
| existence, there are still quite a few places that use | | | | company and investigating a potential identity theft - |
| them. They are very common at places like country | | | | then they ask for your security code number that is on |
| fairs or exhibitions where there are no available NCR | | | | the back of your card (three digits.) so that they can |
| type cash registers (in which case you should bring | | | | investigate the matter. Whatever happens don't give |
| cash and plan not to use your credit card at these | | | | them your information. This code is obtained thieves |
| events). | | | | can use a victim's credit card to shop online almost |
| Unfortunately a crafty thief who can read your credit | | | | anywhere, completely anonymously. |
| card number and expiry date from the carbon that is | | | | It is also completely crucial to always keep your |
| used to create your credit card copy can steal your | | | | personal information completely private. Don't respond |
| identity. They can even see your signature using the | | | | to any requests that you haven't initiated when it |
| carbon. These carbons are then used to make plastic | | | | comes to providing sensitive data, such as date of |
| hard replicas of your own cards and you have no idea | | | | birth, social security number, mother's maiden name or |
| that you have become a victim of identity theft until | | | | the 3-digit security code on the back of your card. |
| you get the charges on your credit card. | | | | Another way to prevent identity fraud is to always |
| Yet another clever method that criminals employ to | | | | make sure that you open up your monthly bills and |
| steal your identity is through the use of cell phones at | | | | read them to make sure that nobody is making extra |
| ATM machines. During this scam an individual with the | | | | charges on your credit card. It is amazing how many |
| type of cell phone that can take photographs or tape | | | | people just pay their bills without actually checking their |
| video will try and capture your password. In this case | | | | credit card statements to see if it is correct. |
| individuals who are already aware of your credit card | | | | Except for direct transactions or automatic |
| number often follow you. | | | | transactions, try to deal with your financial institutions in |
| A great deal of criminal activity actually takes place in | | | | person. Banks don't use e-mail communications to ask |
| retail stores by identity thieves working "on the inside." | | | | for personal information because e-mail is not secure. |
| They use a process called skimming which is copying | | | | If someone asks you for your account number hit the |
| the information on your magnetic strip with a device. | | | | delete button and never respond to such an e-mail. |
| To prevent skimming keep an eye on the way as | | | | Banks never ask that you never send detailed |
| employees handle your card to make sure they are | | | | account information in an e-mail. This is because they |
| not copying or skimming your credit card number. The | | | | are more than aware that criminals might intercept |
| devices used for skimming are sometimes disguised | | | | your e-mails. When you wish to address an issue that |
| as cell phones. After you make a purchase and your | | | | requires personal account information, visit your bank in |
| card is handed back to you, make sure it is your card | | | | person, use its secure web site, place a phone call or |
| and not a dummy card or another person's card. | | | | write a letter. |
| Another important measure that you can take to | | | | |