Identity theft is rampant, and if you’ve ever had it done to you, you know how much of a pain it is to fix. If you use the internet and have an established identity, you’re at risk.
If you have rental property, you’re especially at risk. If they can steal your personal information, they can also steal that of your renters. If you run credit reports or store your renters personal information in a digital format, it is possible.
Let’s review measures that you can take to prevent yourself from becoming the next victim.
Keep it Under Wraps
Protect Yourself Online
One of the first steps is to avoid giving out personal information online. The types of personal information that you should not issue by means of the internet includes:
- Your Social Security Number
- Your Date of Birth
- Credit / Debit Card Numbers
- Checking Account Number
- Savings Account Number
- The City and State Where You Reside
There are some online venues where it is safe to release this type of information. Examples would include The Department of Motor Vehicles, your utility company, and cell phone service providers.
If you give out your personal information as a website that you are not familiar with, or that you do not trust, you are posing the possibility of having your identity stolen.
Shred Baby, Shred
Shred Documents to Avoid Identity Theft
The second step to protecting your identity is to avoid throwing papers away that have important information listed regarding you, your accounts, and/or your credit cards. If you have to, it is vital that they are completely shredded prior to throwing them in the trash. Do this for yourself, and let your renters know to do it as well to keep everyone safe.
Many people who receive credit card offers by mail, simply toss them in the trash. Bad people can find them, activate the card, and then use it for their own financial gain.
Be very cautious on the type of statements and other things that you throw in the trash. As a Property Manager, realize that throwing certain types of documentation away before shredding may endanger your identity, and the identities of your renters.
What’s this Email About?
Look Out for Email Scams
A common scam is occurring online today. People who do online banking, buy on EBay, and pay through PayPal have been getting fake emails saying there’s something wrong with their account, or they need to update their account.
DONT click on any links in these emails. Contact the institution directly to see if they have any business that you should be aware of. If not, inform them of the email for further information.
Another email scam are the ones stating that you have won some form of lottery. Do not fall prey to these types of activities.
There are more steps you can take to protect yourself from identity theft, but the steps here are a good start. There are many resources on how to protect yourself online. Here are a few:
CONSUMER REPORTS: Protect Your Identity