Protecting Yourself from Identity Fraud, Part I

Protecting your identity is key to building and maintaining good credit.

MSN offers these tips on how to do just that:

• Keep your confidential information private. Your bank or credit card company won't call or e-mail to ask for your account information. They already have it.



• Keep an inventory of everything in your wallet and your PDA, including account numbers. Don't keep your Social Security card in your wallet.



• Stop getting banking and credit card information in the mail.



• Monitor your bank and credit card transactions for unauthorized use. Crooks with your account numbers usually start small to see if you'll notice.



• If you conduct business online, use your own computer. A public computer is less secure, as is wireless Internet.



• Look for suspicious devices and don't let anyone stand nearby when you use an ATM. Take your card and receipt with you. Keep your PIN in your head, not your wallet.



• Don't store credit card numbers and other financial information on your cell phone.

Next time, we'll look at more ways on protecting your computer from vulnerability...