According to National Crime Stop, identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the United States. The number of people who fell victim to credit or debit card fraud has skyrocketed in the last two years.
To make sure your identity remains safe, follow these important tips:
- Use credit cards instead of debit cards for maximum protection and to lower risk
- Always use the debit function, not the credit function, when using your debit/ATM card
- Cancel your existing debit card(s) and ask your bank to reissue a new one for you
- When connected to a free WiFi network, do not enter personal information nor shop online
- Place either a “fraud alert” or “credit freeze” on your three credit reports
- Shred all store receipts that have an imprinted bar code
- Use the cash back options in stores instead of getting cash at an ATM
- Never give out personal information over the phone unless you have verified the caller
- Pay your restaurant tab with cash — servers can easily skim your debit/credit cards, especially when they walk away from your table with your card
- Protect RFID smart chip credit/debit cards and passports with a SignalVault, RFID secure wallets or card sleeves
- Use Paypal or a reloadable debit/gift card for all of your online purchases
- Use your bank’s online free bill pay system for paying all of your bills
Identity thieves continue to take more risks. Did you know that the new RFID chips found on your credit and debit cards that transmit all of your personal and bank account information can be easily compromised by hackers from distances up to 30 feet?
Make sure you stay steps ahead of the criminals to keep your personal information safe. Contact us today to learn more on how to avoid being a victim of this growing crime, or if you have already been the victim of identity theft and need to know what to do, please contact us today.
Contact Us
If you or someone you know is seeking legal guidance from an attorney experienced in identity theft protection in South Florida, please contact Klein Law Group at 561-220-6659 or fill out the contact form on our website at www.kleinattorneys.com. We offer a free 30-minute consultation to discuss your individual case in family law, bankruptcy and real estate. Our offices are located in Boca Raton, West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
