Easy Ways to Help Prevent Your Identity from Being Stolen

Identity theft is easily one of the fastest growing crimes. This is due to many reasons, especially the growth of computer use to store personal information. However, not all information attained by criminals are through the computer. You may be surprised to know that many times criminals steal identites by finding credit cards and by roaming through garbages for other person information. Also, some criminals even go as far as to go straight into your mailbox and take your mail that may contain vital information to your financial well being.

Surveys in the USA from 2003 to 2006 showed a decrease in the total number of victims but an increase in the total value of identity fraud to US$56.6 billion in 2006. The average fraud per person rose from $5,249 in 2003 to $6,383 in 2006. (Wikipedia searched, conducted by

^Recent Surveys and Studies, Privacy Clearing House, retrieved on June 30th, 2006.)

It is also noted that having ones identity stolen is emotionally equivalent to being a victim in a violent crime. When a criminal steals your identity and uses it for their own financial means, it can take months, or even years to get your credit back on track, even if you have nearly perfect credit. But there are ways to help prevent having your identity stolen by a criminal who doesn't care about anyone other than themselves.

Never give out personal information on the internet unless it is a highly trusted site, and is encrypted as well. To see if a web page is encrypted and secure, check for the lock icon which can be located either to the right of the search bar, or at the bottom of the internet window somewhere. If you are giving out personal information in person, make sure you know and trust the person. Make sure that if you do not know them personally, get their contact information and ask for some sort of picture ID. If the person is working for a bank or another trusted organization, you don't need to do this, but just remember their name in case something ever happens you can say whom took care of you and took your information.