How to Prevent Your Identity From Being Stolen

Ever since those neophytes at the OG Dude HQ caved in to my salary demands they have asked me to continue writing more articles. They have told me I would have to earn my keep. The L.A. Lessons series has become a fan favorite, therefore, it will go uninterrupted.
The following lesson will be on how to avoid Identity Theft. When you bring up this subject, always remember the Three D’s: Deter, Detect and Defend. The OG Dude will explain these concepts to you and how to implement them into your daily life.
DETER: Identity theft is a serious crime. It occurs when your personal information is stolen and used without your knowledge to commit fraud or other crimes. Identity theft can cost you time and money. It can destroy your credit and ruin your name. You can deter identity theft by safeguarding your personal information.
A.) Shred financial documents and paperwork with personal info before you discard them.
B.) Protect your social security number. Do not carry your social security card in your wallet or write the number on checks. Give it out only if you absolutely necessary or ask to use another identifier.
C.) Do not give out personal info over the phone, through the mail or over the internet unless you know who you are dealing with. Also do not click on links sent in unsolicited emails, instead, type in a web address you know. Use firewalls, anti-spyware and anti-virus software to protect your home computer and keep them up to date.
D.) Never use an obvious password like your birthday, mother’s maiden name, your favorite hooker’s measurements, or the last four digits of your social security number.
E.) Keep personal info in a secure place at home, especially if you have roommates, ex-wives, employment side help or are having work done on your house.
DETECT: Suspicious activity can be routinely monitored by reviewing your financial accounts and billing statements. Be alert to signs that require immediate attention:
A.) Bills that do not arrive as expected.
B.) Unexpected credit cards or account statements.
C.) Denials of credit for no apparent reason.
D.) Calls or letters about purchases you did not make.
DEFEND: Place a “Fraud Alert” on your credit reports and review the reports carefully as soon as you suspect identity theft. The alert will tell creditors to follow certain procedures before they open a new account in your name or make changes to your existing accounts. Placing a fraud alert entitles you to free copies of your credit reports. Look for inquiries from companies you haven’t contacted, accounts you didn’t open and debts on your accounts that cannot be explained.
A.) Close accounts that have been tampered with or established fraudulently. Call the security or fraud department of each company where an account was opened or changed without your ok.
B.) File a police report. This can help you with creditors who may want proof of a crime. You can also report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission. They can be reached at 877-438-4338 or online at ftc.gov/idtheft.
After this information has set in you should not have a reason to encounter this type of crime.
Until the next lesson, “Stay Down.”
All L.A. Lessons Written by: OG DUDE.