How to Prevent Identity Theft: 3 Tips You Won’t Find in the Movie

Well, not everyone is as lucky as Jason Bateman to have funny gal, Melissa McCarthy, steal his or her identity.  The movie Identity Thief takes you on a hilarious trip with outrageous mishaps between the two actors. However, in real life, identity theft is no joking matter. Behind all the laughs, the movie brings you to the rash reality that identity theft is no longer a matter of an unauthorized charge or two on your credit card; it can mean someone taking over your life.

At Praxis Consulting, we want you to be prepared for even the worst of these situations.  Here are some quick tips to help you avoid becoming a victim of identity theft:

1.      Secure your network: If you have WiFi in your home, make sure that the network is secure and locked. Criminals are able to hack networks and can know your every move on the Internet if it is not secure. Read over the documentation on how to ensure your network is safe or ask your Internet provider handle it for you.

2.      Set banking alerts: In the age of the smart phone, everyone has a banking app. Be sure to set up alerts (email or text notifications) so you know when there is activity happening on your account.

3.      Do not make purchases on untrusted sites: If you are unfamiliar with the website and the deal is too good to be true, RUN. More than likely this amazing deal is a way to lure you in. Try using payment processors, such as PayPal, to avoid giving out your financial information directly.

4.      Limit what you carry in your wallet: Many times people fall victim to a pick-pocket and don’t even know it; or, you may have dropped your wallet in the back of cab or out on the street. No matter the circumstances, the less you carry in your wallet, the less information people can gather.

Identify theft can have an impact on your financial life that reaches from your bank account to your credit report. Praxis Credit Consulting offers programs for credit repair if you have been the victim of identity theft. For existing clients, the Praxis Credit University offers guidance, tools and tips to help protect you from identity theft. If you have experienced identity theft, then our online coursework will help you to deal with the circumstances and get you back on the road to credit recovery. .