Identity Theft - How to Avoid, Find, Recover and Report it?

Do not give out your SSN :

• Until otherwise is lawfully required do not give your SSN (Social security number) to any company or customer service representative over phone.
• Do not write your SSN in text files or in paper.
• Do not share your Social Security Number with others.

Shred and then Trash Mails (Junk or Normal) :

• Shred expired credit cards, bank statements and other junk mails with your name and address that is not needed. 
• Shred old driver license if you move from one state to another.
• If you receive gift box from friend or family member, dont throw the box with the address on it. Scratch the address, name and then throw it.

Computer :

• Do not store personal information in office computers (it can always be read by someone in the network), take a backup - keep it in your personal computer.
• If your personal computer at home is accessible by visitors/guests - make sure you have personal information folder as password protected.

Safe Place :

• Keep check books, bank statements in a safe place - not in a place where anyone can access.
• When you talk in phone in public, make sure you are not talking too loud about your credit card transaction or password information.

Restaurants :

• Go to legitimate restaurants, some restaurants print the complete credit card number in the sales draft. The restaurant owners are suppose to shred and trash. Some people throw the sales draft bill as is.
• Same applies to any place you stay or have transaction with.

Driver license :

• Make sure who are all taking xerox copies of your driver license. This is not going to be a long list. (Such as apartment lease building, etc.,)

Above are some small steps and there are lots of tips that we follow everyday, if you have any interesting tip - why not post your comment?

Regards,

Shiva