Identity theft is a real thing, yet many people aren’t properly prepared in the event that they do become a victim. In order to help prevent you from becoming a victim, we have gone ahead and compiled some helpful tips to protect you against identity theft.
How Your Insurance Policy Can Help
It is important to understand if your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies offer coverage from identity theft, specifically listed in your policy in order for you get the proper coverage for that particular situation, whatever it may entail.
Although coverage against identity theft is typically low, any sort of coverage can help. You may also be able to obtain a stand-alone policy or an add-on to your current homeowner’s or renter’s policy. By doing this, you can be reimbursed for the cost of repairing your credit score and restoring your identity, as well as expenses such as lost wages, mailing costs, phone bills, and attorney fees.
Preventing Identity Theft
Unfortunately, recovering from identity theft can take lots of time, patience, and hard work; the years following discovering you were a vicitim can be very tough for everyone involved. And while insurance can and will help, it is critical that you are taking the necessary steps to prevent your identity from being stolen altogether.
- Avoid carrying your credit cards, Social Security Card, or your passport around with you, unless necessary
- Avoid throwing credit card or ATM receipts in public trash recepticle. Instead, shred them prior to disposing of them.
- Only use authenticated and safe websites when shopping online.
- Avoid releasing your personal information via email, including passwords and account information.
- Ensure that you have installed an antivirus program on all of your computers.
- Perform annual credit report checks, reviewing all of your information thoroughly.
- Use strong passwords for all of your accounts and avoid using the same password for multiple accounts.
- Shred documents that contain sensitive information including credi card statements, checks, and anything with your personal information explicitly stated.
- Perform regular checks of your accounts. This way, if you suspect any suspicious activity, you can report it immediately.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about what Brazelton Insurance Group can do to protect you from identity theft, contact us today.