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Issue link: https://digital.macdirectory.com/i/1176476
you. If someone does call you about an issue with your account or service, ask them for a reference number or case number and say you'll call them back. Be sure not to call any number that they provide, as this may well be fake! Instead, call the organization's main line directly and see if they know anything about the case. If they don't, you've dodged a bullet. 5 - Don't Forget About Old- School Threats Identify thieves aren't all master hackers: Many will resort to decidedly low-tech means to commit their crimes. Although it's less common these days, criminals still go through paper waste to find personal information that can be used to commit fraud or steal someone's identity. Tip: Old-school problems require old-school solutions: Invest in a simple, cross-cut paper shredder. Basic models can be picked up from office supply stores for around $100, and cross-cut models will turn paper into confetti (no chance of truly determined criminals taping the strips back together). Destroy anything containing potentially sensitive information before throwing it in the trash. This includes bank statements, documents containing your Social Security number, or communications with your physician. This also applies to special offers and application forms: If you receive credit card sign-ups or balance transfer checks in the mail from a financial institution, don't just throw them away—shred them. 6 - Check Your Credit One of the reasons that identity theft is so hard to recover from is that it often goes unnoticed until the problem is fairly severe. If criminals rack up several months' worth of charges on fraudulently opened credit cards, it can take a tremendous amount of time and effort to undo the damage. Tip: Check your credit report regularly, and scan for signs of suspicious activity. That way, if you do find something amiss, you'll be able to alert the proper authorities quickly, before things get out of hand. Consumers in the United States are entitled to three free credit reports per year, one from each of the three main credit reporting agencies (TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax). The reports can be accessed by using the official website authorized by the federal government: www. AnnualCreditReport.com. Lastly, be careful not to visit imitation sites with similar- sounding names, as these may themselves be fraudulent.