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Step 1
To prevent identity theft and fraudulent activity you should avoid purchasing items online from unknown companies. If they don't offer PayPal then the chances are they're not a reliable or trusting company.
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Step 2
To prevent identity theft make sure to shred your mail after reading and to check your mail daily to prevent someone from stealing and opening your private mail. It is a Federal offense to open someone elses mail but that doesn't stop some people.
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Step 3
Avoid email newsletters and product updates. Giving out your email address should be a private matter and once you start getting junk emails they will never stop. Never login to your account from an email you got from even something like a bank statement notification from your bank. It might look real even if it isn't. Open a new browser to login to your accounts. Go directly to the site to login. If you do login to the fraud link it will still your user name and password. Then your identity can be stolen or sold.
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Step 4
Never give out your information over the phone or email about your social security number, bank account checking number, routing number, or security codes. These things can and should be faxed or emailed directly to the company.
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Step 5
To avoid identity theft or fraud make sure to cancel check, debit/credit cards, or other financial related documents in the event that they are lost or stolen. Call you bank immediately and report the lost card or checks. Many banks require transactions to have a holding period and if the purchase is noted to be a fraudulent activity then the charge can be reversed or denied. Thus making sure that you don't get charged for the fraud. The bank will however make you change your checking account number or credit and debit card number to prevent future fraud. So before you report theft and fraud make sure that it is indeed an illegal activity that has been committed against your identity.
