By Gayle Whitworth, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent, University of Florida, Brevard County
Reviewed by Martie Gillen, PhD, Department of Family, Youth, and Community Sciences, University of Florida
March is Fraud Prevention Month. Learn more here.
It seems like every other day, we hear a new story about how customers’ personal information has been stolen from a large retailer or other big organization. It’s enough to make anyone paranoid. Have you thought about what you can do to guard against and watch out for possible identity theft?
Identity theft occurs when someone takes your personal information – such as your name, Social Security Number (SSN), driver’s license number, address, and/or birth date – and uses it for his or her own personal gain. Once someone has that personal information, it can be used to empty your bank account, run up charges on your credit cards, open new utility accounts, get medical treatment under your health insurance, and even file a tax refund in your name and get your refund. This crime can damage your credit, cause you major inconvenience, cost you money, and waste hours of your time.
Unfortunately, victims often don’t know that identity theft has occurred until it’s too late. However, warning signs can alert you to the possibility that someone has stolen some aspect of your identity. These signs can include:
- Unusual charges on bank accounts
- Unusual activity on credit cards
- Mail or bills failing to arrive as expected
- Bills showing as unpaid, even though you paid them
- Being denied for credit cards or loans
- Bills for medical services you did not receive
- Rejection of your tax return by the IRS (due to someone else filing with your stolen Social Security number)
The good news is that there are steps you can take to protect yourself again identity theft. Just remember three words: Deter, Detect, and Defend.
Here are some actions you can take to deter identity theft:
- Shred financial documents containing personal information
- Never carry your Social Security card around
- Don’t give out personal information over the phone, over the Internet, or through mail unless you originate the transaction yourself
- Never click on links in unsolicited emails or emails from unknown or suspicious senders
- Use strong, secure passwords online
- At home, store your personal information in a secure location
- Mail bills and other sensitive items at the post office, or place them in a blue Federal mailbox (don’t place them in your own mailbox)
- Only carry the credit cards and identification documents that you actually need
- You may wish to consider purchasing identity theft insurance IF it is included as a “rider” under your homeowner’s insurance policy. Before purchasing this coverage, read the policy carefully to decide whether it is worth the expense. Purchasing stand-alone identity theft insurance is not recommended.
Here are actions you can take to detect identity theft:
- Be alert for bills, mail, or account statements that don’t arrive on time
- Check out any unexpected credit card bills, unexpected denials of credit, and calls or letters about purchases you didn’t make
- Check your credit report at least once a year with each of the three main reporting agencies (to do so, visit Annual Credit Report).
- Review credit card accounts and billing statements monthly
Here are actions you can take if you must defend against identity theft:
- Place a Fraud Alert on your credit reports immediately if you suspect identity theft
- Close any accounts that have been compromised or opened fraudulently
- File a report with law enforcement if identity theft has occurred
- Report your complaint to the Federal Trade Commission
Unfortunately, no one can guarantee that you won’t ever be a victim of identity theft. However, these strategies should help reduce the chances that it will happen to you–and it if does, they’ll assist you in knowing what to do next.
(Photo credit: Credit Card Theft by Don Hankins. CC BY 2.0.)
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Comments:
December 10, 2019
I love using a bread machine, too! Thanks for the recipe, it's great finding something new to experiment with. I mostly use the basic cycle because I love basic white bread but, from time to time, it's nice trying something new.
March 20, 2017
Very interesting information, thank u grosir obat herbal
November 17, 2014
This recipe is amazing and delicious and you don't have to knead it. You can sub in whole wheat flour for about 50% of the flour, but may need to add more water, and the loaf will be flatter. The long rise and high water content give it amazing flavor and texture. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/08/dining/081mrex.html?_r=0 I also use this recipe, which makes two loaves and is sort of similar, but not the same. Again, you can sub in whole wheat flour for about 50%. I also like to add sesame seeds. I make this one in traditional loaf pans with a silicone liner (otherwise it will stick) so it can be used for sandwiches more easily. I used to make this recipe every week but haven't been getting around to it lately. http://www.splendidtable.org/recipes/five-minute-artisan-bread
November 11, 2014
I am sharing this blog with all of my students' families. Beautifully written!
October 15, 2014
I've never seen meat on BOGO! I've seen sales on cost per pound, but how do they provide them as BOGO? Would like more information about this as that would be a tremendous savings and a do have a freezer.
October 15, 2014
And then there's the snack provided to the kids after the game! (I can go for fruit and water, but that is not what tends to be provided) Fortunately, the stand turns out to be not that visible to the kids...they didn't notice it, at least this first time.
October 15, 2014
Thanks for sharing this Carol. Those concession stands were always a concern for me, as a nutritionist and mom interested in healthy eating for my family. We almost never bought anything, which made me feel a bit guilty that I was not supporting the team, but I figured that our health was more important than a few dollars for the team. Not only do those foods provide more fat, sodium, and/or added sugars than most people need, they tend to fill you up so that you may not eat a healthy dinner after the game. Of course, that was the other annoying part of soccer games ... the team always wanted to stop at McDonald's after the game! Oh my ...
October 10, 2014
Hi Selina, You may be looking for a point of contact with the UF FYCS department? I will send you an email with the appropriate info. :)
October 10, 2014
Hi, We need you in the community for purpose of educating youth on your resources. Is this the source of contact to participate in an upcoming event. Please reply at e-mail if so. Agriculture Dept has participated in a previous event with our organization. Thanks so much for the plethora of info that comes from your letters. we appreciate you. Selina Lee
October 9, 2014
My family is totally converted to no-cook overnight oatmeal, whch we had never tried before this post! My daughter loves banana-peanut butter with a tiny bit of chopped dark chocolate, and my son likes apple-cinnamon. I am not a morning person, so I love that I can make it the night before!!
September 25, 2014
I appreciate and agree with your comments, Kevin. Martial Arts are a special way to develop special talents that have gone by the wayside because we are too busy to slow down and realize that past practices, in many instances, still work well in our modern society -- especially with youth.
September 25, 2014
You raise a nice set of points there and maybe I can help expand them. I've studied for a long time, and one thing that is earned in training is a sense of community developing from common goals and collective perseverance. It is struggling together. It is setting unattainable goals, but then getting to them. "Special training" sessions are weekends of intense training that is awful. But you survive it and come out stronger. Nobody is a star. We're reminded that we can always do better and strive for perfection. You are always a student and learning, even when you're teaching. Those are some of the best lessons that can be learned and why kids should be involved in martial arts.
September 17, 2014
These are great suggestions. Wish I had time to try more of them than I will be able to try! Thanks for putting these together in one place ... great resource.
September 8, 2014
Yes, a lot of people seem to like those flavored waters and sparkling waters. Call me a seltzer purist! Sometimes I do mix seltzer with orange juice or grape juice for a sparkly drink, so I'm not "pure" all the time ...
September 5, 2014
I find that if I carry a refillable water bottle with me I drink more during the day. I also prefer lemon sparkling water, with natural flavors. No calories, no sugar, no fat yet I get the bubbles!
September 4, 2014
I'm actually not a big fan of water either, but I really enjoy seltzer, so that is my beverage of choice for hydration. You might try that and see if it works for you. No calories, no sugar ... great choice for thirst quenching.
September 4, 2014
It should be easy for me to drink more water, but somehow I don't. Thanks for the inspiration.
September 3, 2014
This is a great blog post -- really enjoyed reading about this research and the fact that it demonstrated what I have long thought about this amazing book series -- that it has extremely positive messages and much to teach young people (and adults as well). One only has to be concerned about those readers who relate more to Malfoy or Voldemort than to Harry and his buddies ...
August 28, 2014
Howdy! I'm at work browsing your blog from my new apple iphone! Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts! Keep up the fantastic work!
August 26, 2014
Everything is very open with a clear description of the challenges. It was really informative. Your site is very useful. Thanks for sharing!
August 11, 2014
Excellent! We found some deals from online websites as well. This did require us to order two weeks ago or else we would not have had it arrive in time...
August 11, 2014
Just did my family's back to school shopping--I was able to find a $10 off coupon using a couponing app! :)
August 5, 2014
Good catch! Hopefully readers will still focus on the bottom line of this blog that suggests that consumers should be aware that many so-called super foods do not have super powers.
July 31, 2014
"Antioxidants protect your cells from damage and can boost your immune system." Umm, no. Nothing "boots your immune system", that's just one of those nonsense phrases from the alt-med & supplements community who think scientifical language legitimizes their claim. http://www.skepticalraptor.com/skepticalraptorblog.php/boosting-immune-system-sorting-science-myth/ You're right to be wary of "superfood" claims, but also beware of false concepts like immune system boosting.
April 15, 2014
good article, thanks for information
March 25, 2014
Getting a diagnosis is so important so that people can either make changes to reduce their risk of diabetes or begin to manage the disease if they already have it. In either case, lifestyle management can make a big difference in quality of life and long-term health. Thanks for the information about the on-line Diabetes Risk Test -- hopefully many people will take advantage of it.
March 25, 2014
Hey! AWESOME!! Thanks for the great info!!
March 20, 2014
Great addition. It is important that we check charges in bank statement, credit card statements, utilities, everything. Being a good consumer truly takes action on our part.
March 19, 2014
Good post. You mentioned here: "Be alert for bills, mail, or account statements that don’t arrive on time". To add to this, many people do not check their bank statements often enough to catch fraudulent activity in a timely manner. It is always a good thing to be mindful of the charges debiting an account and not take for granted that all charges are going to be legit.
March 1, 2014
This is great especially for people like me that needs financial help and assistance. I'll for sure share this to my friends. Thank you ecourtney. :)
February 13, 2014
Well said, I too have a growing collection of art projects and cards from my kids. I treasure these. In fact my wife still has a poem I wrote for her while we were dating in graduate school. She eventually had it mounted onto a plaque several years after we were married.
February 12, 2014
This is a good reminder about what is really important on this holiday. It made me think about all of those cards I made for my parents when I was in elementary school ....you know the ones with red paper and doilies! My mom kept those thoughtful (and cheap) cards for years and I too have some that my son made for me. Guess it is the thought that counts (although chocolate is really fun to get too, I must admit ...)!
Comments are closed.