Identity theft is one of the most common criminal acts in

society today. Criminals will use your personal information

such as banking accounts and passwords, to pretend that they

are you. They may take out credit cards in your name,

mortgages, or even worse. The internet has opened up a whole

world of possibilities for these criminals, and the threat is

very real. There are things that you can do to help prevent

such a crime. It costs very little to protect your information,

and it is money well spent.

The following is a list of tips to help you protect yourself

from identity theft. Search around for the best price on these

services, to make the most out of your money.

1. Monitor your credit report often. The U.S. government

suggests that you check your credit report yearly to prevent

identity theft. Every person is entitled to one free credit

report a year though http://www.annualcreditreport.com. I would

suggest checking your credit report several times a year for the

highest level of protection. Look for unexplained charges or

activity on your report. You can often sign up for a credit

monitoring service for a few dollars a month. They will watch

your credit report for you, for signs of foul play. For a good

deal, look for a credit monitoring service, you should be able

to get a good discount on various services online.

2. Bank with a credible bank. Stick with a financial

institution that is well known. No only will they offer you the

highest level of protection, but they often have the best

interest rate deals around. Get your credit cards through

reputable companies as well. Be weary of small companies, with

little credentials.

3. Don’t give out your personal information to anyone. A good

financial situation will never ask for your login information

or passwords. Be weary of anyone that asks you for your

mother’s maiden name. This is one of the most common items used

for identity theft. Use your birthplace or pets name whenever

possible. It will be harder to steal your information.

Protecting yourself online doesn’t have to cost an arm and a

leg. By looking for deals and promotions at coupon websites,

you can save a great deal on the services that you need. I

would recommend using the free credit report option, coupled

with a credit monitoring service for the best protection. The

earlier you catch criminal activity, the less damage they are

able to do.