1. Always have emergency cash with you. I have a $20 bill inside the sleeve of my cellphone case. This has helped me a lot of times when I was out of cash or when I forgot to bring my wallet. (Of course, don't forget to put another $20 once you use it up).
2. When withdrawing money, try to withdraw the same amount if possible. For instance, I withdraw $80 or $120. Never $100, $200. This way when I am going through my bank statement, I can easily detect if a withdrawal seems suspicious.
3. NEVER use public wifi (hotel, library, coffee shop) for online shopping, online banking or bill payment.
4. Don't give your real birthdate or stick to a "fake" birthdate. When asked for your birthdate at the gym, spa or salon. Do they really need to know your real birthday? Think about it, they will most likely have your credit card info. This makes it less easier for identity thieves should they have access to your information, if your birthdate doesn't match.
5. Invest in a PO Box, you can get the smallest one. I use this for when companies ask for my address and I don't feel like letting them know where I live, especially when they could sell my information to a third party affiliate. They may need it to send me promos so the PO Box has been worthwhile especially when I'm dealing with a merchant only once such as tire places, smog test stations. Use your PO Box as return address when sending holiday cards etc.. (remember you don't know if your friends would shred your address on the return envelope).
6. I also have a secondary phone number thru google voice (its free!). This is what I give to merchants like grocery stores, dry cleaners (you never know if they sell your phone number). It goes directly to voicemail or I can have it forwarded to my landline or cellphone and screen calls. I've had less telemarketers calling since they could never reach me and hopefully have given up.
7. Invest in a good shredder (confetti size). Shred all the junk mails with your name, remove the address label on magazine subscriptions before discarding the magazines. Most shredders now can also shred old credit cards and CDs. As courtesy to your family and friends, shred their names from return envelopes as well, any list with other people's address and information, resumes etc..
8. Make sure your checks only has your initial and no address printed on them, no telephone numbers and social security number. Pay with cash whenever possible especially at small gas stations in the middle of nowhere.
9. Most health insurance cards now provide an alternative ID number (not your social security). I don't give my SSS to medical offices since this alternative ID number is associated with my SS. Just one more layer of security.
10. When forwarding emails, remove all the other email addresses listed below. Use BCC (blind copy, meaning the other people copied on the email will not see another person's email address). This is one reason why spam mail happens.
This may sound a bit too much, but you can never be too careful these days.
2. When withdrawing money, try to withdraw the same amount if possible. For instance, I withdraw $80 or $120. Never $100, $200. This way when I am going through my bank statement, I can easily detect if a withdrawal seems suspicious.
3. NEVER use public wifi (hotel, library, coffee shop) for online shopping, online banking or bill payment.
4. Don't give your real birthdate or stick to a "fake" birthdate. When asked for your birthdate at the gym, spa or salon. Do they really need to know your real birthday? Think about it, they will most likely have your credit card info. This makes it less easier for identity thieves should they have access to your information, if your birthdate doesn't match.
5. Invest in a PO Box, you can get the smallest one. I use this for when companies ask for my address and I don't feel like letting them know where I live, especially when they could sell my information to a third party affiliate. They may need it to send me promos so the PO Box has been worthwhile especially when I'm dealing with a merchant only once such as tire places, smog test stations. Use your PO Box as return address when sending holiday cards etc.. (remember you don't know if your friends would shred your address on the return envelope).
6. I also have a secondary phone number thru google voice (its free!). This is what I give to merchants like grocery stores, dry cleaners (you never know if they sell your phone number). It goes directly to voicemail or I can have it forwarded to my landline or cellphone and screen calls. I've had less telemarketers calling since they could never reach me and hopefully have given up.
7. Invest in a good shredder (confetti size). Shred all the junk mails with your name, remove the address label on magazine subscriptions before discarding the magazines. Most shredders now can also shred old credit cards and CDs. As courtesy to your family and friends, shred their names from return envelopes as well, any list with other people's address and information, resumes etc..
8. Make sure your checks only has your initial and no address printed on them, no telephone numbers and social security number. Pay with cash whenever possible especially at small gas stations in the middle of nowhere.
9. Most health insurance cards now provide an alternative ID number (not your social security). I don't give my SSS to medical offices since this alternative ID number is associated with my SS. Just one more layer of security.
10. When forwarding emails, remove all the other email addresses listed below. Use BCC (blind copy, meaning the other people copied on the email will not see another person's email address). This is one reason why spam mail happens.
This may sound a bit too much, but you can never be too careful these days.
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