How Do I Protect My SSN?
Over 8.3 million consumers in the United States fell victim to some form of identity theft, according to the Federal Trade Commission’s most recent study in 2005. Identity theft is a serious problem; its effects can cause problems for years, and include credit denial and legal problems from “unpaid” debt. Although the federal government and U.S. companies try to protect your personal information, such as your social security number, there is only so much they can do. The rest falls on you, the consumer, to make smart decisions, and protect your social security number from theft. Keep your social security card in a safe place, such as a combination or lock-protected safe. You need to be able to access with ease, but leaving it around the house or in your wallet is a bad idea. Shred or destroy your important financial documents and mail. Identity theft sometimes comes from “dumpster diving.” In these situations, the thieves browse trash cans and dumpsters (residential and commercial) in
