How to Protect your Identity and Credit Cards from Theft

This article will walk you through the steps to help prevent your identity from being stolen.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• The contents of your wallet or purse
• Pen
• Paper
• Photocopier

1. You will need to take out all the contents of your wallet or purse that contain any sort of confidential or sensitive data. Confidential and sensitive data can include but is not limited to: Credit Cards, Drivers License, ATM or Debit Cards, Insurance Cards, Prescription Cards, Health Cards, Dental Cards, Gift Cards, Membership Cards, Warranty Cards etc...

2. If you have access to a photocopier, take all of the items you have identified and photocopy them either individually or as a group. Make sure and photocopy BOTH sides of all the items.

3. If you do not have access to a photocopier, write down the pertinent information from each item. This would include any account numbers, issuing company names, issuing company addresses, issuing company phone numbers etc...

4. Once you have written down all the needed information, store the photocopy or hand-written list is a safe and secure location that is NOT in your purse or wallet. A good place is in a fireproof safe at home.

5. Now if your purse or wallet is ever stolen, you have all the needed information available to you to call the various banks, credit card companies, insurance companies, membership clubs etc... to inform them that your card has been stolen and to close the current account and open a new one while issuing a new card to you.
   
   Make sure and do this on an annual basis or anytime you add or remove new contents to your purse or wallet.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure and get ALL the contents of your purse or wallet. You would rather be safe than sorry if you had to reference the documents.
• Make sure an report stolen information as soon as possible to ensure compliance with various banks and credit card company policies.