Services like LifeLock provide an extra level of protection against identity theft. Beyond that, the best thing you can do is to take simple, commonsense precautions in everyday life. Here are five of the most useful identity theft prevention tips.Keep Your Books
The easiest way to tell if someone else has been using your bank or credit services is to stay on top of your bills. Keep a basic set of books to track bills, checks, withdrawals, credit card payments and automatic transactions. This not only helps with everyday household finances, but gives you a heads up if something looks out of the ordinary.
Never Share Information over Email
You would think people have figured it out by now, but no legitimate institution ever requires you to send financial information over email.Even if you get email that you're 100% sure is from your financial institution, go to its web site or your local branch to send information. If you choose the web, go to the site yourself. Do not click on email links, even if you think they lead to your institution. Scam emails regularly fake just that sort of thing, right down to tricking your web browser into thinking a dangerous link goes to your bank.
Leave Your Plastic at Home
Insteadof taking a full wallet everywhere you go, only take the credit cards, ATM cards and ID that you actually plan to use. Put everything else in an out of the way but easy to remember spot at home.Pickpockets and muggers don't just steal cash any more. They'll also sell your ID and other cards to ID thieves. Plus, remember that for small purchases, there's nothing wrong with cash! If you're only going to spend about 20 bucks when you go out, take bills with you. You'll lose a lot more when someone takes a wallet that doesn't have cash, but is full of your personal plastic.
Guard Your PIN
They put those warning stickers and shields on debit machines for a reason. Physically guard your PIN from view whenever you use a debit machine or ATM. Memorize your PIN so you can enter it quickly and smoothly, without ever having to write it down. Lastly, avoid using machines in unfamiliar locations. Some ID theft scams start with crooked store employees.
Save and Shred
Don't put intact bank statements, credit card offers, ATM/debit slips, receipts or old bank and credit cards in the trash Take them with you or destroy them with a thorough shredding. This even applies to your home trash. Don't put any financial information in the garbage without tearing it to pieces that nobody could possibly tape back together. Get a small paper shredder for your home. Destroy anything you don't need for record keeping promptly, especially old credit cards and ATM cards.