10 Tips to Protect Your Identity During the Holiday Season

According to the 2006 Federal Trade Commission Identity Theft Survey Report, in 2005 8.3. million Americans were victims of some form of identity theft. According to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, it takes 12 months, on average, for a victim of identity theft to notice the crime. In 2006, 10 million Americans were victims of identity theft. Here are 11 tips to protect your identity during the holiday season.

1. Don’t carry your SSN or other personal papers in your wallet or purse
2. Leave mail and other personal papers at home and store in a safe place
3. Check your mailbox regularly, hold mail during vacations
4. Shred personal information and mix in with other trash
5. Don’t use an ATM in a secluded area
6. Carry only the credit cards you know you will use
7. Shop online at secure websites, https or shttp
8. Create PINs that cannot easily be guessed
9. Verify all monthly statements with your receipts
10. Order your credit report at least once a year and verify all information
11. Beware of camera phones

Copyright © 2007 H.E. Freeman Enterprises