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Step 1
One of the best identity theft protection practices you can have is to protect your social security number. Don't carry your card in you wallet. If your wallet is stolen, the thief will not only have your drivers license, but your card as well. Don't use your social security number as a user name or password on the internet. If your computer gets hacked, all of your information will be available. Many people have have been victims because college professors used their social security numbers to post grades. If you professor does this, please encourage them to stop.
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Step 2
Be safe on the internet. Invest in some good security software for your computer. Just type identity protection software into a search engine to see your options, but be sure to check the company out on the Better Business Bureau. Many virus protection software will come with identity theft protection as well. Also, don't give out too much personal information on the web on sites such as Facebook and MySpace unless you set your page to private. Identity thieves can use this to seal your identity.
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Step 3
Invest in some identity theft protection insurance. You buy car insurance and homeowners insurance, why not have this as well. Many insurance companies are starting to offer this identity theft protection insurance for as little as $6.50 a month. Some will monitor your credit, and, if someone does manage to seal your identity, they will take care of cleaning up the mess. Shop around to see which company will offer you the best protection. See resources below for a link to one company that offers this protection to see if it is right for you.
