Prevention Measures in Identity Theft
1. Always place signature at the back of your credit card as this makes it difficult for the identity theft thieves to impersonate a person in the circumstances of “ on the spot” transaction if the person in charge should ask for identification.
2. Safe possession of the credit card is of grave importance to prevent it from falling into wrongful hands.
3. Never reveal personal identification number to any person as it can be used to acquire personal information for identity theft to occur.
4. Always cover the keypad when entering PIN number and always watch out for people looking over a person shoulder to know the number.
5. Paper shredder can be utilised to destroy all crucial and essential documents as it prevents dumpster divers from stalking information form the garbage.
6. Never lend credit card or bank card to anyone, no matter how high is the level of trust and confidence especially a child and boyfriend or girlfriend.
For starters who wish to reduce or minimise the potential risks of becoming a victim of identity theft/ fraud, just remember the word “SCAM”.
S is equivalent to ------ be stingy, about revealing your personal information to others unless you have a great trust on them, regardless of the location like:
(a) At home = Any person who calls you and says that he is from your bank [ credit cards or bank cards bank] should never obtain any information about you as such information is already kept inside the database of the bank. The purpose of such call is just to obtain any personal information about you for the person’s personal benefit. Therefore, if an unknown person calls you on the telephone and offers you something lucrative like a prize or other valuable item, and insist to know your personal data, please do not entertain them and ask them to send you, a written formal form or letter stating the matter.
(b) On travel = in the circumstances whereby you are travelling, ask the auxiliary of someone that you know and trust well to collect and hold your mail until you return back. Furthermore, if you have to telephone a person while travelling and inform certain personal financial information, do not do it at an open telephone booth, where passer-by could listen to the conversation. Utilise telephone booth with less people around it.
C is Check. --- If you have bank or credit cards accounts, a prompt monthly statement pertaining to the list of transaction made on the particular month, should be sent to you. If you are not receiving any monthly statement for the accounts that you have, call and ask the financial institution about it. A detailed and good review of the monthly statement is very important as checking monthly statement carefully is the quickest way to find out, for any unauthorised debits or changes in the financial account.
A is equivalent to Ask. Ask periodically for a copy of your credit report. The credit report shall comprise a list of all bank and financial accounts under your name and also shall provide other indications of whether any person has wrongfully or maliciously used any accounts under your respective name.
M is equal to Maintain. Maintain the records of your banking and financial accounts in a careful manner.
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