Identity Theft Research Paper

Words: 500
Pages: 2

Identity theft is one of those events in life that is frightening to hear about and devastating when it happens to you. In moments, even a child can go from a spotless credit record to no credit with little explanation. Don’t allow yourself to be a victim; take the following steps to do your part to protect yourself from identity theft.

Measures You Can Take Yourself

Shred any sensitive documents you no longer need. Anything with your bank account number, social security number or any other sensitive information should be shredded the moment you no longer need them. It is not unusual for identity thieves to go dumpster diving for any salvageable information. This is especially true with discarded business records and paperwork.

When using a credit card reader with a keypad, lay your fingers gently on the keypad for a few seconds after you enter your PIN. Identity thieves with iPhones can turn them into thermal cameras and figure out your PIN number based on where your fingers touched the keypad. Paired with a credit card skimmer, your complete card information becomes easy to obtain.
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You are entitled to one free credit report from each of the three major bureaus yearly. The only downside is that you can only obtain these reports one at a time. Be wary of any other websites claiming to offer free credit reports. Only the three major credit bureaus are truly reliable.

Paying your bills online is another way to prevent identity theft. If you send in a check, that check can be stolen and your pertinent information along with it. By paying online, you ensure the funds are transferred directly from your bank to those you need to pay. There is also the added benefit of having the bill paid off almost instantly.

Measures You Will Need Help