Identity Theft: How to Avoid Becoming a Victim

It seems that every week I get a patron coming into the library that reports that she has become a victim of identity theft. Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States. Fortunately, there are some things that can be done to prevent a crook from stealing your identity.

First of all, identity theft is clearly an area where an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Think of it like getting a flu shot. It may hurt a little bit but getting the shot is better than trying to contain the havoc a nasty flu bug could cause later.

A wise first step is to get a free credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com –This is probably the easiest and cheapest way to see if things are kosher with your credit. Look at the credit report and make sure that everything is in good order. If you see any rogue accounts that you’re not aware of, investigate. Contact the credit card companies to see if those accounts belong to you or if they don’t belong to you. Remember, it’s easy to lose track of credit cards. Who hasn’t been enticed at the department store to open a store credit card in exchange for 10 percent off a sizable purchase or to defer interest for a year? The problem is that we may forget about these cards but identity thieves don’t!

Essentially, the best way to avoid identity theft is to be aware of the lines of credit which are open in your name. We have several books at Kansas City, Kansas Public Library that deal specifically with identity theft prevention strategies. These books can really save you an amazing amount of frustration and time. Some strategies include: balance your checkbook every month, consider identity theft coverage, don’t put outgoing bills in your mailbox when a USPS mailbox is much more secure. There are many other solutions you’ll find at your library.

Now, if you think that you are a victim of identity theft, we have books on that too. Clearing up identity theft can take time. It’s not easy but having good books can make all the difference. The bottom line is that there’s more than one way to tackle this problem.

One last thing – there will be a talk in the Main Library (625 Minnesota Ave) on November 3 at 6:30 pm on “How to start your business” up in the second floor auditorium. This should be a really great presentation. A representative from S.C.O.R.E. will be talking about all the different things an entrepreneur needs to do to get a business up and running. S.C.O.R.E. is a group of seasoned pros with entrepreneurial expertise. These folks really know their stuff. If you’ve been in business for a while or just want to get your feet wet, this is a great opportunity. Until next time, catch me in the library.