Senior Housing and Assisted Living

Computer Identity theft is a serious crime that is growing each year. If you’re a victim of identity theft you may spend months, even years, trying to repair a ruined credit history. A damaged credit report can compromise your chances of getting a new job, a bank loan, insurance or even housing rental. It is even possible to be arrested for a crime you did not commit if someone else has used your identity to break the law.

Many of the methods that thieves use to take identities are beyond your control to protect against. Although it is rare, even store clerks have been known to use their status to pass along info to identity thieves. There are some measures you can take, however, that will make it harder for a thief to steal your identity.

Protect Your Credit Card Number After It Has Been Swiped When Buying Items

Protect your credit card number after It has been swiped when making a purchase, check to make sure that the printed receipt hides all but the last 4 digits of your credit card account number (usually there will be Xs in place of the first 12 digits). Some terminals still print receipts that show all 16 digits of an account number, and may even include the expiration date as well. After your card is swiped, you’re permitted by law to hide the first 12 digits of your account number on the copy of the receipt that the vendor keeps. Use any marking pen that will do the job.

When you go to a restaurant, it’s especially important to make sure that the first 12 digits of your credit card number are hidden on your receipt. You might be in the habit of signing it and then leaving the restaurant’s copy on the table after your meal. An identity thief can easily steal the signed receipt before the waitperson comes back around to pick it up from the table. Don’t take any chances.

Do You Need To Provide Your Social Security Number?

One way that you can defend against identity theft is to not give out your social security number unless it is absolutely necessary. You need to provide your social security number when you apply for credit or for a bank account, sometimes an organization will want to use it as an ID number, simply to identify you within their system. This is a common practice even though the law says that social security numbers aren’t to be used as ID numbers. In these situations, use your judgment. There’s usually an alternative if you ask.

Destroy Documents That Contain Personal Information

Buy a paper shredder and use it to destroy documents you’re throwing away which contain personal information such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, phone numbers and dates of birth. This should be done at home and at work. Identity thieves are not above going through someone’s trash to find personal information that can help them obtain credit in your name.

If you do become a victim of computer identity theft, take the following steps immediately. Contact credit card companies, close your accounts and ask to have new cards issued to you. Place a fraud alert on your file with any one of the three major credit bureaus. The other two will be notified automatically. File a police report. You may need it to show to creditors as proof of the crime.