Having your identity stolen can devastate your good credit and can require endless hours of telephone and written communication to resolve. When an imposter obtains your personal identifying information such as your Social Security number, bank or credit card account numbers, that imposter can assume your identity. Your personal information can be used by the identity thief to fraudulently open credit card accounts, secure deposits on cars and housing, and even to rob your retirement earnings.
Identity thieves are information seekers.
They obtain your personal information by sorting through your trash for discarded receipts and other personal information, accessing public records and even stealing from your mailbox. You can greatly reduce your chances of being the next victim of identity theft by following some precautionary steps to protect your personal identifying information . . . Do not carry extra credit cards, Social Security card, birth certificate or passport in your wallet or purse, except when needed. Never have your Social Security number printed on your checks. Do not leave envelopes containing checks at your home mailbox for the postal carrier to pick up.