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5 Tips for Preventing Identity Theft

 
Identity Theft

5 Tips for Preventing Identity Theft
By Emilie Sennebogen, HowStuffWorks.com
Editor Ryan Johnson, HowStuffWorks.com

As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, but in the case of protecting your identity, prevention is priceless. Beyond the financial and emotional ramifications of having someone steal from you, the sheer amount of effort and paperwork necessary to make things right is enough to create a monster headache.

The information identity thieves are after is all number related — your Social Security number, your credit cards, your bank accounts, your address, your driver's license, your age, your phone number. These numbers are all unique to you, and they're valuable to someone who wants what you have. Here are five steps you can take to make sure this information doesn't end up in the wrong hands.


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