Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes. Many strategies are being recommended includings shredders which can be found at Staples, Office Depot and Fellowes. Our office of Law Office of Scott C. Soady, A Professional Corporation, LLP does not recommend or endorse any of these companies and this information is placed for reference only. Please e mail or fax us with any questions you may have on protecting your identity with legal strategies and techniques.
Whether we like it or not, identity thieves are resourceful. Their methods are as varied as the ways in which consumers need to use some form of identification to initiate and complete transactions. It can all be confusing and intimidating, but consumers need not feel helpless against the expanding threat of identity theft. For most of the tactics used by the bad guys, there are countermeasures for consumers. These measures cannot completely insure that a consumer’s identity is safe, but the odds of becoming a victim decline with each protective step taken. What follows is a nonexhaustive collection of safeguards you can put in place to lower the chances that a stranger will do you harm, even as he adds the insult of pretending to be you. These credit bureaus include TransUnion, Equifax and Experian,
* Obtain, review, and insure the accuracy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus. These reports have information on where you work and live, your credit accounts, how you pay your bills, and whether you have been sued or arrested or have filed for bankruptcy.
* Use random passwords on your credit card, bank, and telephone accounts rather than birthdays, initials, or other obvious passwords.
* Make sure that the personal information in your home is secure, especially when you have roommates, employ outside workers, or have service and repair work done in your home.
* Look into security procedures for personal information at work. You should be able to find out who can access your information, how your records are kept secure, and what the employer’s procedures are for the disposal of records.