Identity theft is something no one wants to go through. With a simple purchase on a website or buying gas at the pump, your identity can be stolen within minutes. Put these three tips into action to help protect yourself from identity theft:
Secure Your Social Security Number
The first and easiest thing you should do to secure your identity is making sure your Social Security Number is safe. The best way to do this is to keep your card in a fireproof safe and make sure to put the key in an easy-to-remember place!
Shred Unwanted Information
You may not think about it, but many people throw valuable information away instead of shredding it. Without shredding your personal information, someone could easily go through your garbage and gain access to bank statements, signed contracts, and other personal information. Don’t give a thief the ability to take over your life. Royal offers Shred Day events at our offices as a free service to Members to help protect their information.
Install Firewalls & Virus Protection
Identity thieves are learning the ins and outs of how to steal your identity. One of the easiest ways to get someone’s identity is through the internet. To further protect yourself, installing or updating your current firewall and virus protection will help keep your identity safe. To stay secure on the internet, be sure to watch what information you put into sites and which sites you visit.
Securing your identity should be a top priority. Many of us forget how easily it can be stolen from us, and once we lose it, it seems harder to get back. Follow these steps and be extra careful and you will be sure to secure yourself. If you think that your identity may have been stolen, contact the Federal Trade Commission online or by phone at 1-877-438-4338.
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