One of the most important steps in avoiding identity theft is to review your consumer credit reports each year. You can contact the three main credit bureaus and request copies of your credit history. This will give you an accurate idea of any open credit you have, as well as any major purchases made using your credit. It will also give you a view of how many times your credit report has been pulled.

Anytime you have documents with personal information, you will want to shred them, versus simply throwing them in the trash. You can purchase a shredder fairly cheaply. Be sure to purchase one that cross shreds, so that your documents cannot be pieced back together.

You can also take your mail directly to the US Postal mailbox, versus placing your mail in your house mailbox. This helps avoid criminals being able to snatch your bills or other personal information you are sending through the mail.

If you are going away for any period of time, you will want to make sure that you completely stop your mail. You can request that the post office hold your mail until you return. Likewise, you do not want to leave any mail in your mailbox over night. As soon as your mail comes, bring it inside so that thieves cannot get a hold of it.

If you have lost a credit card, report it immediately. This way, a block can be put on the account or if need be, it can be closed completely and a new number can be issued. As well, if you have requested a new credit and have not received it in a timely manner, be sure to contact the company to let them know. Once you received your credit card, be sure to sign it immediately.

Should you suspect you have been a victim of identity theft, you will need to take some immediate steps. Contact the credit bureaus and have a fraud alert placed on your credit. Next, you will want to contact all of your creditors and banks, both by phone and in writing and report the crime. Be sure to record the names and phone numbers of each person you have talked with and discussed your case with, as well as the date and time of that discussion.

You will also want to file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. They have counselors than can help you in resolving any issues you may have. They can help you get your life back under control and help you move forward.

Identity theft is an increasing problem that affects millions of Americans. There are a variety of different steps you can take to help avoid identity theft. Likewise, should you become a victim of identity theft, there are steps you can take to get your life back on track and regain control of your financial situation.

First let’s review what happens in an identify theft crime. A thief gets enough of your personal information to be able to open accounts in your name. It’s really as simple as that. Such information would include items that would normally be used to open a new account somewhere such as your social security number, your driver’s license number, and with some accounts, even less information may be required, as surprising as that sounds. Once the thief has opened the new accounts such as Visa cards, department store cards, even personal loans, the thief gets as much money as he can on those accounts, then disappears into the sunset. The first time you are aware that your identity has been compromised is when you get a phone call from one or more of the accounts inquiring as to your plans for your very high and very past due balance on an account that you didn’t even know you had.

Some people claim that modern technology is to blame for the growing problem of identity theft crimes, but that is simply a knee-jerk reaction. Modern technology is not the cause of the problem, although it does make unsuspecting people more vulnerable to identity theft. Many people, particularly seniors, when they go online and get an email supposedly from their bank asking them to “verify their information due to a possible security breach” think they are doing the right thing by clicking on the provided link and verifying their information. But what they do not realize is that their bank never sent such an email, and even if they did, would not request information to be verified online. That email was originated by somebody trying to steal their identity, and this email scam is typically known as “phishing”.

Does the knowledge that one should NEVER respond to such an email from someone who claims to represent your bank or credit union’s fraud department, come automatically? Unfortunately not. Many people are not tech-savvy enough to realize that a bank or credit union or other financial institution would never ask you to verify your personal information online. But for unsuspecting people, such an email, complete with the graphic logo of their bank, think the email is official and fall prey to such email schemes. Creating a fake email that looks very official is something that even most fifth graders could do today.

Your best protection against identity theft is good old common sense. Whenever anyone asks you for very personal and sensitive information such as your social security number or even your date of birth, the red flags and alarms should start sounding in your head. Why do they need this information and what will they do with it? Especially safeguard your PIN code for your ATM card or credit cards, since there is no valid reason on the face of the earth why you would have to give that to someone. If someone allegedly works for the bank, then they already have access to that information and you do not need to give it to them.

Again, just use common sense. The problem is not with the Internet, it is not a problem with technology, the real problem is that people are too willing to divulge personal information to people who have no business asking for it. Keep your guard up and take precautions to make sure you are not the next victim of identity theft being featured in the evening news!