How to Prevent ID Theft

Audra: Is your identity safe? Well thieves can steal your personal information and open accounts in your name and it could be months before you find out what’s going on. Jeanette Povini is here with a better way to save time and money by avoiding identity theft.
Jeanette: Thanks Audra. Well consumers need to protect their personal information while at the same time keeping a sharp eye out for any irregularity in their accounts. Well ID theft can be a high-tech crime. More than half of all cases happen the old-fashioned way when a thief steals a piece of paper with the social security or account number on it.
Protecting your information means shredding junk mail and old bills. These can use telephone bills to open phone, DSL and satellite TV accounts in new locations. Junk mail offers to open accounts can be cashed in by anyone who finds them under your name. If your mail box is not secured, consider minimizing the mail you receive by paying bills online and using online banking.
If you sign up for paperless bank, there is less of an opportunity for your information to fall into the wrong hands. And never give your pin numbers out to anyone and write them down on paper in your purse or in your wallet.
Audra: On Monday, we will tell you how you can save on cleaning products around the house.


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