Originally published June 13 2005
Ways to protect yourself against identity theft
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Given the rise in online bills and credit cards, identity theft is more prevalent than ever. Here's a couple of ways to protect yourself: Never give financial information over the internet unless you know who you're talking to. Put a lock on your mailbox (thieves could steal your information) or better yet, get a box at your local post office for sensitive information. Beware of fake charities and groups asking for credit cards; you can get an unlisted number to avoid their calls. Never store your PIN information near your credit cards and make sure that information doesn't leave your sight. Finally, you can invest in a paper shredder to avoid thieves rummaging through your trash.
After the fact: File a police report Call credit bureau Call bank and card companies FTC Hotline Keep documentation Shred-a-thon News 12 helps you stay safe from identity theft.
Keep your personal information out of the hands of identity thieves.
TYPES OF THEFT CRIMES Tennessee Credit Card Fraud 37% Bank Fraud 20% Phone/Utilities Fraud 17% Gov.
Rene Coulter put an ad in the paper to sell her 4 year old german shepherd Bruce, and that ad also appeared on the internet.
She quickly got an offer by e-mail from a woman offering to send a money order for the dog.
But when she got it, she noticed the name on the money order wasn't the same as the name of the woman she'd been e-mailing.
"If you take them to your bank, they don't detect them," says identity theft victim Rene Coulter.
I worried because I had exchanged so many e-mails doing this that they had access to my computer, where I pay all my bills online.
Doug Wilson knows all too well how easily identity thieves can strike.
Wilson is with the criminal investigations division of the Hamilton County Sheriff's Department.
There are some things you can do to make sure identity thieves don't cash in on your name.
First of all, never give out any financial information over the internet, or on the phone unless you know who you're dealing with.
If your mail box doesn't have a lock on it, get one...because thieves can steal letters from you to find out about you and assume your identity.
Also, consider renting a post office box at your local post office to avoid trouble with thieves stealing your mail.
Watch out for "fake" charity workers coming to your door, or calling you on the phone.
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