A Whole New (Unwanted) You in 2009

Wed, Dec 31, 2008 at 11:34:00 am PDT

We all conjure up different images of ourselves at the mere mention of a new year about to begin.  We imagine more muscle and less fat, greater assets and fewer debts, more reconciliations and fewer arguments; the list is long and hopeful.  We’re confident in our abilities to change ourselves and work hard to reach our goals.  But sometimes the idea of a “whole new you” isn’t just confined to what you have in mind for your own self.  Sometimes it gets hijacked by plotting, scheming, clever thieves who are waiting for you to get overwhelmed with all that the holiday season brings to pounce on you.  The result?  A whole new, fake you that opens up a multitude of credit and bank accounts and charges up a storm.  

It’s surely a hard concept to even think about this time of year.  We’re joyful at being able to see long-missed loved ones and look forward to being generous.   We use our credit cards constantly, mostly for the express purpose of giving around this time of year, and aren’t always careful about checking the safety associated with the websites we use to make the purchases.  We let credit card bills pile atop other paperwork as we have dinners to plan, religious services to attend and presents to wrap.  It’s awfully easy to use an unsecured website or let suspicious charges persist or even grow on unchecked accounts.  It’s this lack of vigilance on which identity thieves count the most.  The holiday season is hectic and depleting.  Opportunities are ripe for the dishonest.  

Not all is lost, though.  You can take charge of this aspect of your finances and reduce the likelihood you’ll have your identity stolen in 2009.  Making it a resolution and redoubling your efforts with renewed dedication can be very helpful.  Like with health or anything else for that matter, prevention is key.  Purchasing services like ID Secure will give you peace of mind by detecting the worst types of identity fraud and preventing unauthorized accounts from being opened in your name (see http://www.identitytheft.com/idsecure for more information).  Checking your credit card statements immediately upon their arrival is another prudent step to take.  If you want to be even more cautious, you can try having them delivered electronically as opposed to by snail mail; thieves often open up mailboxes of the unsuspecting and gather information that way.  Also, check to make sure the websites you use to make purchases are safe and reputable.  Additionally, do not ever distribute your social security number to someone claiming to call from a governmental agency, bank or anywhere else.  Legitimate institutions have no such practices; recognize immediately it’s a scam and cease communication.  

Your identity requires constant upkeep, too.  If you’re not careful, the “whole new you” you’ll be looking at in the mirror won’t be a thinner or healthier one, it’ll be a victimized one.