Protect Yourself Against Identity Fraud

To protect yourself against identity fraud, experts say to think about what you have in your wallet, and if it is not something you need to have with you, leave it home.  While you assume a document is safe with you, you also never planned on having your wallet or purse stolen or lost.   

The Javelin Strategy & Research company, a financial advisory firm specializing in among other things fraud management and cybersecurity, says the best way to prevent unauthorized access to and the use of private information is to leave items such as passports, Medicare and healthcare insurance cards at home.  Even there, they suggest you keep them locked in a file cabinet or a safe.   

Other items experts recommend keeping safe at home is your Social Security card and that should include your child’s or another family member’s.  It is unnecessary to carry it as it poses the biggest risk of your vital information being stolen, and a thief will use it to create a fraudulent identity with the information.  If it is stolen, report it to the Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline (the number is on their website).  Your birth certificate is also an important document to keep out of the hands of others as someone can use it to establish proof of age, citizenship and identity.  

In addition, while you do need to carry a passport when traveling out of the country, it is advisable to leave it in the hotel safe when you are out sightseeing.  Make a copy of it in case it does get stolen or lost as it will make it easier to report to the U.S. Department of State.  Finally, while it may seem harmless, do not carry around a list of what you consider your less important passwords as some of them such as email accounts can be used to reset other accounts.  Experts say the bottom line is – if you don’t need it, don’t carry it.   

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Sources:

aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2019/wallet-protection-identity-theft.html?intcmp=Outbrain&obref=obnetwork