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Statistics say that there were over 14 million recorded identity thefts in a span of 2 years (January 2001 to middle of May 2003) in the US alone. Imagine what the statistics are like worldwide. United States Victims ended up shedding a total of $4 Billion out of their own money. The number has only gone up since then. By reading this article, I hope you will learn how to avoid being another identity theft statistic. Here are some things you can do to protect your credit and your identity from thieves. Remember that you can never 100% protect yourself against identity theft as we use our personal information to purchase stuff everyday. However, you can definitely mitigate the risks.

1. Be careful of people nearby who look like the are snoopy. These are people who try to take a peek at what you are doing over your shoulders Always be alert of your surroundings when you are working in a public space. Try to have a privacy screen when you are working in public, such as a library. Always remember the more people there are at any one place, the bigger the chance that there is an onlooker.

2. Destroy all sensitive data, paper or digital. If it is a paper document, shred it until it is unrecognizable. If it is digital, thoroughly erase all information. If you are not giving it away or selling it, I recommend destroying the hard drive with a hammer. If you are giving away your computer or selling it, always use top of the line software to wipe your data completely. Experts recommend going over your data twice to make sure nothing is left on.

3. Make sure to always secure your digital devices (ie laptops and mobile devices) with a password. Internet access is widespread nowadays so hackers can hack into your device if left unguarded. When it comes to your home network, always have a password-protected firewall with encryption. Hackers are always on the prowl for open home networks to hack. On my Android device, I also have an app that secures my sensitive apps with a password.

4. Have an alarm system at home and in your automobile. Criminals very rarely break into anything with an alarm because once it is set off, the chance of them being identified skyrockets. Additionally, alarm systems are really a hassle to disam and are usually not worth it for the criminal.

5. Sign up for a credit monitoring service such as MyFico. They will alert you of any odd transactions or anything new on your credit. Also, sign up for fraud protection with your credit card and bank if they don’t already provide one for you. They come in very handy as they will alert you of odd activity on your account. Also make sure you have fraud protection on all your credit and debit cards.

By using the tips I posted above, you can largely decrease the chance of having your identity stolen and your credit profile ruined. Remember, the biggest repercussion of a stolen identity is the lasting effect it has on your credit. So save yourself the hassle and protect yourself because it is a big hassle having to repair your credit profile after an identity theft. Use the tips above and it will greatly reduce your chances of having your credit ruined and your identity stolen.