Identity theft has become a huge business for thieves. It is one of the easiest ways for criminals to access money they don't have to work for. Unfortunately, it is those of us who work hard to earn our dollars who end up paying for it. There are ways to prevent someone from stealing your identity. Putting some basic routines in place can save you the trouble that comes with identity theft.

Here are some basic things you can do to prevent identity theft from happening to you:

The Obvious

Buy a shredder and use it. Thieves will go into your trash to get personal identifying information about you. This includes your bank statements, credit card bills and a host of other paperwork that can cost you dearly. Shred every piece of mail that comes into your home to avoid this disaster.

Protect your computer from hackers. Putting virus software on your computer is not enough. You should also use your firewall protection and spyware protection. There are a vast number of different programs available to protect your computer. A thief can easily break into your computer without your ever knowing it. That is, until they have destroyed your credit.

Cut up old credit and debit cards. When you receive your new credit or debit card, completely destroy the old one so that no identifying information can be found or pieced together. This is just as important as shredding your documents.

Email Scams

Delete those junk emails. You will sometimes get an email stating that your bank account is in danger of being closed or that your PayPal or other such account needs to be verified. You will get these even when you don't have an account with those particular banks. Ignore all such emails. Never click on the link that takes you directly to that account. This is a scam. It is a way for the scammer to get into your account info and take all your money. If you fear that it might be a real email, delete the email and then go to the account on your own.

Phone Scams

Never give out your information over the phone. If someone calls you to say that you have suspicious charges on your card, do not give them your information. If there really were charges to your card, they will be able to tell you what the charge was and where it came from. They should never ask you for your social security number, passwords, the card number or the number on the back of the card.

Look Around

When you are making a purchase with a credit card, be sure that there is no one looking over your shoulder. It takes one quick click from a phone camera to get your card number and expiration date. They can also get other identifying information if your wallet is open and your license or social security card are in view.

Check Your Account Online

Keeping a close eye on your accounts through online venues will help you identify unauthorized purchases. The sooner you catch them, the easier it will be to clear them up and get your account back into your hands. If someone has stolen your identity, you will be able to stop him dead in his tracks. If there are unauthorized purchases, immediately call the bank to put a stop to further intrusions.

Taking a few steps to preventing identity theft from happening to you can save your credit. Many lives have been destroyed because of this issue. Being careful about what you do is the key. Personal financial information should be kept secure at all times. Putting the above steps into action will help you to prevent a thief from profiting off \your hard labor.

Learn more about this author, Dawn Hawkins.
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