Before we go into how we can avoid identity theft, let us see what identity theft means. Identity theft is mostly defined as a state where another person uses your name to appropriate gains due to you – this could be anything from abusing your credit cards to usurping your medical insurance or bank balance, or committing crimes in your name.

Then, you will have the bank personnel who will have access to your account number as well. Can you realize how inviting it can be to know the details you have mentioned? If that check falls into the hands of any unscrupulous person, you will be wide open for identity theft whereby your bank can be cleared within minutes.

How to Avoid Identity Theft?

Basically one word will do here – careful. If you are careful, you will be able to sidestep a good number of traps and avoid identity theft effectively. The following guidelines would be helpful:

1. Keep all the critical information (it is even better if your keep all your information) concealed. Do not write your driver license number or social security number anywhere, lest people will copy it and use it. This is particularly important when it comes to checks. People tend to write all kind of identity information right on the back of the checks. You should rather give only your phone number and if the bank needs further identification or verification, they will call you up.

2. Never give any information over the phone. How do you know that the person at the end of the line is a genuine person? If the bank is calling you, ask the name of the person and inform that you will give the information in person, or send it through someone you authorize on your behalf.

3. Never give your financial details for buying things over the Internet. Whenever you like something, check out the website (name of the enterprise) with the BBB or Better Business Bureau to see whether they are genuine. Unless you do this, you might be feeding your financial information into a clone website. This is one of the most popular methods to steal people’s identity; hence, you should be very careful about what you are doing and with whom you are interacting to avoid identity theft.

Bessemer Defiant, LifeLock Moves Forward After FTC Settlement - Wall Street Journal (blog)

KMOX.com

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LifeLock fined $12 million over lack of life-locking ability - Ars Technica

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LifeLock fined $12 million over lack of life-locking ability Ars Technica Identity theft prevention service LifeLock is not as pristine as its reputation claims after all. ... Identity Theft Firm Agrees to Pay $11 Million to FTCBetter Business Bureau Dollars & SenseWWMT Lifelock to pay millions to settle false advertising claimsKCBY.com 11 Omaha World-Herald -Honolulu Advertiser -Earthtimes (press release) all 34 news articles »

Old Puerto Rico birth certificates to be scrapped due to identity theft scams ... - New York Daily News

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Old Puerto Rico birth certificates to be scrapped due to identity theft scams ... New York Daily News A new law in Puerto Rico aimed at combating identity theft is already sparking fears of an anti-Latino backlash against many US residents born on the island ... Puerto Rico to toss birth certificates, leaving island-born New Yorkers in a bindamNY Activists tell Puerto Rico Gov. Luis Fortuno a new birth certificate law harms ...Los Angeles Times (blog) Puerto Rico-issued birth certificates invalid starting July 1NorthJersey.com The Star-Ledger - NJ.com all 2 news articles »

Ridgewood police captain offers tips on preventing identity theft - NorthJersey.com

Ridgewood police captain offers tips on preventing identity theft NorthJersey.com Becoming the victim of identity theft can cause months or years of headaches for anyone caught up in it, but taking a few minutes to remain ...

Shred to beat identity theft - Metro Canada - Calgary

Shred to beat identity theft Metro Canada - Calgary ... identity theft. Shredding personal documents is another, and it comes highly recommended by a sergeant from Calgary Police Service Crime Prevention. ... and more »

CyberDefender Supports Customers with Expanded Call Center Infrastructure - TMC Net

CyberDefender Supports Customers with Expanded Call Center Infrastructure TMC Net CyberDefender , a provider of PC security, Antispyware/Antivirus Software, PC Optimization, PC Support, and Identity Theft Prevention ... CyberDefender Appoints Senior Vice President of Call Center OperationsMarketWatch (press release) all 18 news articles »