Identity theft happens when another person uses your personal information, such as your name or social security number, without your permission to commit fraud. Identity theft is a serious crime that is indisputably growing fast. It is estimated that over nine million people fall victim each year, and the price they pay for someone else’s misdeed is not an easy one. While some victims might find their problems cleared up quickly, others spend a lot of money and a lot of hours fixing the damage done to their credit report.
Reduce the Risks
There are some things you can do to help safeguard yourself from identity theft. First, buy a paper shredder. You should always shred any paper that contains your social security number or any personal information of any kind, including your name, address, credit card numbers, or other information you wouldn’t want anyone to know. Next, buy a locking mailbox. It is just too easy for a thief to reach into your mailbox when no one is looking and steal any mail that could hold personal information. When sending mail, use the post office rather than your mailbox. Again, it’s easy access for a would-be...