Identity Theft Commercials

Have you seen all the identity theft commercials recently. If it has not happened to you yet consider yourself lucky. Millions of Americans are dealing with this issue as you read this. So what are the best ways to prevent identity theft? Firstly, you must understand what personal information of yours should be kept private. While some personal information is inevitably going to be made public, there are some items with high sensitivity that should never be made public. See the table below for details.

Item and Sensitivity
Full Name -Low
Address- Low
Phone Number -Low
Date of Birth -Medium
Birthplace -Medium
Mother's Maiden Name -Medium
Social Security Number -High
Bank Account -Number High
Credit Card Number -High
PIN or Password -High

Protecting yourself against identity theft involves nothing more than protecting this personal information, particularly the high sensitivity items. Anyone with knowledge of just one of your high sensitivity items can do a lot of damage. Part of the battle of preventing identity theft is recognizing how this personal information is stolen and from where.

Computer Identity Theft
Most casual PC users are unaware of how dangerous the Internet can be. Without the proper knowledge and protection, you could be just a few simple keystrokes and clicks away from having your identity stolen. Here are some tips for preventing online identity theft.
- Use anti-spyware and anti-virus software.
- Be wary of online shopping sites. Only shop at
sites that you trust and are secure.
- Don't get baited by phishers.
- Encrypt your wireless internet connection.
- Erase your hard drive if you ever sell or give
away your computer.

Where Your Identity Is Stolen From

Your Mail
The Federal Trade Commission has reported that in the last year, almost 400,000 Americans suffered identity theft due to stolen mail. Almost all of these incidences could have been avoided. When dealing with your mail, be careful. It can contain a lot of sensitive personal information. Here are some tips for ensuring your mail doesn't fall into the wrong hands.

-Don't leave outgoing mail in an unsecured location.
-Deposit mail in USPS collection boxes.
-Don't leave mail in your mailbox overnight or on weekends.
-Have your mail held at the post office while you're out of town.
-Get a mailbox that locks