It cannot be denied that identity theft and credit card fraud is a plague in our society. Each year, millions of consumers in the US alone become victims of ID theft and fraud. The staggering number of ID theft victims continues to increase.

Since debit cards were introduced in the market, ID thieves came up with deceptive ways to steal personal information from people and use it to commit fraud.

Is there anything you can do to protect yourself? Yes, there is. Check out the following steps on how you can safeguard yourself from ID theft:

1. Always be on the alert.

People who are victimized by ID thieves are usually unaware about their tactics. By educating yourself about the strategies they use to steal information, you can become more alert and prepared. This is especially true when you’re using your credit card or debit card to make a purchase from the internet. Know the necessary precautions you can take to avoid ID theft and fraud.

2. Don’t carry all your credit cards and debit cards in your wallet.

Carrying all your important cards in your wallet or keeping them all in one place is a risky habit since there is always the possibility that your wallet can get lost or misplaced.

3. Get rid of receipts and banking statements responsibly.

Use the ATM with caution. See to it that there is no one standing by anywhere near you why you’re making a transaction. DO not throw away your ATM receipts in the trash since ID thieves can use your banking information to commit fraud. BE sure to shred important documents and receipts into pieces before discarding them.

4. Check your bank account regularly.

Monitor your debit card and credit card account regularly and check for any incorrect charge in your account.

5. Check your credit report at least twice a year.

Order a copy of your credit report at least once every six months to make sure that it’s accurate and free from errors. Carefully check if there is any missing detail in your personal information. Check your account numbers and your payment history.

If you discover any error, call the credit bureau that issued your report immediately and explain the situation. Follow up your call with a letter of dispute sent through registered post mail.

Clearly point out in your dispute letter the errors that you want to be corrected. After 30 days of investigation and your dispute was found valid, the credit bureau should send you an updated copy of your credit report for free.