Protect Yourself from Fraud Artists and Identity Thieves

    Some of the cleverest minds in the world are busy devising schemes to separate you from your money, banking information or even your personal identity – which could result in you being held responsible for debts you never ran up -- or even crimes you never committed.

To protect yourself from such things be extra careful not just with your money but also with all types of personal identity such as:

• Personal papers
  
• Bank statements
  
• Cheque books
  
• Driver's licenses
  
• Social Insurance cards or other government identify cards
  

Rarely provide information from such cards on the internet. Some supposedly secure sites might tempt you to make exceptions but be careful. Also be careful when providing such information in person. The only time should be when you are buying something or are legally required to do so.

In addition to being extra cautious at these times don't fall into the habit of throwing old statements or other forms containing confidential information into dumpsters or garbage bins behind stores or office buildings. Information thieves, even some private many private investigators, are very skilled "dumpster divers", able to piece an entire history about you or your from documents that you forgot to shred before discarding them.