7 Tips to avoid personal identity theft

We have all heard about the importance of protecting our personal information. In today's world of technology, it’s common to hear about all sorts of new scams from internet hackers and fraudsters taking advantage of an unsuspecting public.

How do you improve your personal security and privacy? Here are seven quick tips to give you better peace of mind. Use them the next time you log on to your favorite online retailer or step through the doors of a retail store.

#1 Use a password generator

Password protection is important. If you are still using one password for all of your online accounts, then you are putting your security and privacy at risk. In today’s online environment, you need to keep up with the times.

Search for a free password generator online. This handy tool will produce a random password using numbers, symbols, and letters. Store the passwords on a spreadsheet, it’s impossible to remember them all. It’s important to back up the spreadsheet regularly. If you ever suspect a data breach, then simply change all of your passwords and update the sheet.

#2 Use two-step verification

This is an excellent security tool that ensures no-one will ever access your sensitive data or payment service providers without access to your device. Two-step verification prompts you for a secondary code sent to your mobile device when logging onto important sites. The system is popular for transferring and storing cryptocurrencies in wallets.

#3 Don’t leave your card with Restaurant Staff

Trust no-one. Your credit card can easily be scanned by a portable card swiping machine. The mag stripe in the card and the RFID chip can be read by the scanner and the data stored for download.

Criminals take this data and use it to manufacture clone cards, as well as make fraudulent online purchases. While the bank may insure you against all proven fraud with your card, it is still a huge inconvenience to have to deal with.

#4 Never email copies of your Credit or Debit cards

Email servers can be compromised and hacked. Sending your personal information and especially your credit card details via email should be avoided at all costs. If a retailer tells you it is required by their policy for you to present your card, black out the last 4 numbers and the expiry code, as well as the CVC number on the rear of the card.

#5 Never make copies of your ID documents

Do you remember where you keep your copies? Neither does anyone else. Copies are just made to be lost and then found by people who have no business finding them. Avoid making unnecessary copies of your personal identity documents and your credit cards.

#6 Use a RFID wallet

RFID chips are embedded in your passport, some ID documents, and your bank cards. These chips can be read by a scanner that is held close to it. All a criminal needs to do is sit next to you on a bus and they can scan the information on the chips in your wallet. Avoid this scam by using a RFID wallet from Ibricraft.

The wallet contains a strip of aluminum that interferes with scanner frequencies and keeps your information safe.

#7 Don’t write your PIN down

Never write your PIN number down. Some people have been as a=careless as writing their number down on the card itself, or leaving the number somewhere 9in their wallet in case they forget it. This can be a costly mistake, never write your PIN number on anything, ever!

Never be caught out

With these simple tips, you can give yourself an edge against fraud and personal identity theft. Think about areas in your habits that may need correcting and always stay alert and aware of those around you wherever you go.