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Identity Theft: Six ways to protect yourself

It cost the American people $5 billion in ID theft scams in 2006, with almost ten million citizens falling victim. However, there are preventative measures to help you combat the rise of this crime.  

Shred everything. Any document that reveals financial or personal details has to be destroyed completely.

Keep your personal information as private as possible. Don’t give out details over the phone, by mail or over the Internet.

At least once a year check with the three major credit bureaus about the status of your credit reports and if anything seems amiss, report it immediately.

Protect your credit card statements and check them carefully as this is a common way for thieves to get information.

Change your ATM password if you use your birthday or numbers from your social security number.  

Question anyone who wants your social security number unless it is genuinely for tax or identification purposes, egfrom your bank, employer or doctor.

These are six ways to protect yourself against ID theft by keeping personal details as secure as possible.

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