Did you realize that 19 people in the United States are the victims of identity theft every minute? And, of course, the problem is also significant right here in the Denver metro area.
I've written this post to help dampen a thief's ability to steal your information. This first post includes simple ways to keep your info secure. Next week, I'll offer advice on what to do if your identity is stolen. - Jim
Identity Theft Info & Resources from Denver Authorities
Tips
1) Keep an eye out for unauthorized activity on your bank and credit cards. Monitor your credit report for activity that raises a red flag.
2) Shred documents, bills, junk mail, and any paper that holds your name, address, social security number, or personal account numbers. Personal, home or office shredders are inexpensive tools to safeguard your valuable identity.
3) Remove mail from your mailbox as soon as possible. Theft from mailboxes to garner identities is a serious problem.
4) Make sure that your online passwords are strong. This typically means including a combination of upper and lower case letters and numbers. Never use the same password for more than one account. Also, be sure to change those passwords periodically.
5) Personal and financial documents that are stored on a computer should be protected by a firewall, anti-virus, and anti-spyware software. Your browser should always be up to date and security updates from Microsoft, Apple, or other hardware and software providers should be immediately and regularly installed.
6) Don't list your date of birth or birth place on social networks. Obviously, never fall prey to Internet email scams or phone calls that insist on any of your private information.
7) Do not accept "friend" requests on social media sites from individuals you are not familiar with.
And a final word of advice, some homeowners insurance policies include coverage for identity theft. Consult your agent for details.
As a Denver Front Range and Summit county real estate agent, I know first hand how vital responsible credit is for home ownership and so many other things! Identity theft can destroy your credit and cost you a large sum of money and many hours to repair. Across Colorado, your personal information is one of the most important things you possess.
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