For personal property protection and liability coverage in cases of fire, weather damage, robbery and more ResidentShield Renters Insurance has you covered, but more and more we are seeing the importance of protecting yourself against identity theft. Now more than ever, renters must be aware of potential access points to their information in the real world and online.
According to PrivacyRights.org, identity theft affects more than 8 million Americans. While that number is woefully high, fraudulent activities have decreased since their record high of 55.7 billion worldwide in 2006. Much of the decline can be attributed to institutions’ and businesses’ increased security investments to protect clients. The wise actions of residents also contribute to a significant portion of the decline.
There are a few simple things that you can do to protect your identity at home, on the internet and in your neighborhood:
- Shred unwanted financial and personal documents instead of simply placing them in the trash.
- Completely clear cookies, history, and all system caches on public computers after use.
- Never access online banking on public computers. Technology exists to let remote users view your screen and any information that your type into a field whiles you’re online.
- If you do not plan to buy a home, car, or other large investment in the near future, consider freezing your credit. This prevents the unauthorized opening of additional lines of credit in your name.
- While on the web, don’t bother with “You’ve Won…” banners. No one wants to give you anything for free. Best case scenario is that you’re caught filling out a grueling survey. Worst case scenario is that you click the banner and inadvertently download spyware, viruses, and other dangers to your system.
- If you’re filing your taxes at a center, take a thorough look around before accepting service. How are documents stored? Are files easily accessible to anyone passing by?
When it comes to storing personal property and documentation within your rental, keep these points in mind.
- Keep copies of personal documents in a safe place outside of the home, like a safe deposit box.
- Ensure that sensitive documents within the home are in a secure, obscure location.
