If you have read any of the other posts in this series, you know that two of the days (days 5 and 7) are more funny than clear and present dangers.  If you have missed any, you may still read them and let me know what your thoughts are.

Todays safety topic is a real danger all year around and particularly during the holidays.  Identity theft has been on the rise over recent years.  As protection gets better with technology, so do the bad guys.  It is an unfortunate truth that we must be prepared for.  As I happen to be involved more on the financial side of Real Estate, I know that identity theft needs to be watched.  And as such, my safety tips to prevent this and to correct it are as follows:

• Keep and check all of your credit card receipts.  If you have a receipt with the entire sixteen digits showing, when you are done with it, destroy it.  Do not just throw it into the trash.  Make it unreadable to the thief.  They are not too proud to go through the trash finding receipts. 
• Speaking of trash, do not throw away your mail soliciting you to accept any financial offers.  They need to be destroyed by shredding or burning them.  Again, it takes the option away for the desperate thief.
• Maintain a list of your credit cards with each institution, their phone number, and your account number.  That way, if a card is lost, you can put a stop on it immediately.  Be sure to keep this paperwork in a safe place and separate from the cards themselves.  Do not forget to include your debit card number as well.  That one will have the most immediate impact if it has been stolen.
• Check your credit report annually for possible identity theft issues and mistakes.  You may check for that at Annual Credit Report.  If you do happen to find something erroneous, immediately follow the recommendations by the agency on filing an alert. 
• Do not share your financial information, drivers license, social security number, account numbers -- anything with anyone.  Be wary when you are asked for such personal information.  It is better to be safe than to be sorry!

Be safe throughout the holiday season and all year long financially.  What happens today will affect us tomorrow!  Enjoy your Christmas season with your friends and family.  I will be looking forward to hearing great stories of your times spent together and memories shared!  Of course, I will also be available to help you with your commercial and home financing needs. 

I will be watching, reading, and writing.  And...checking into our credit reports!  :)