Should I Be Worried About Identity Theft And Fraud?

Identity theft, or identity fraud, is when someone uses your personal information to make purchases, submit credit applications, or impersonate you in other ways to the detriment of your credit or legal records. Many people wonder, "Should I be worried about this?" The answer is yes, everyone should be worried about ID theft to a certain degree. However, educating yourself on the subject makes it simple enough to prevent.

Mail theft is a prime way in which thieves can access your information. If you receive a lot of offers for "pre-approved" credit cards, for example, someone could fill it out--pretending to be you--and receive a credit card in your name. To prevent this possibility, you can "opt out" of these offers. Until then, make sure to shred any applications and check your credit report regularly.

Locked mailboxes are another preventative measure against identity theft. There are models today that are sturdy enough to stand up to baseball bats--even bullets. Locked mailboxes can also be useful if you are planning to go on vacation.

Keep in mind that more than nine million people in 2004 were the victims of ID crime. Knowing it can happen to you and taking steps to prevent it can eliminate your worry. Most thieves still get your info from a stolen wallet or purse, so report these crimes immediately to your credit card companies and the three credit reporting bureaus. Also, always make sure online sites are secure before entering personal data.