What can you do to deter identity theft
A. Share your personal information online.
B. Shred your financial documents after you use them.
C. Share your personal information on the phone.
D. Throwaway paperwork with personal information on it.
B. Shred your financial documents after you use them.
To deter identity theft, the following steps can be taken:
1. Option B: Shred your financial documents after you use them. This ensures that any personal and sensitive information is safely destroyed and not easily accessible to potential identity thieves.
2. Option D: Throw away paperwork with personal information on it. However, it's important to note that simply throwing away paperwork may not be enough to secure your information. It is safer to shred the paper before disposing of it.
3. Option A: Do not share your personal information online. Be cautious of sharing sensitive information, such as social security numbers, bank account details, and passwords, on public platforms, social media, or unsecured websites.
4. Option C: Do not share your personal information on the phone. Always be cautious when receiving calls or messages requesting personal information, especially from unknown sources. It is best to verify the identity and legitimacy of the caller before sharing any sensitive information.
Remember, taking precautions and being vigilant with your personal information can significantly reduce the risk of identity theft.
The correct answer to deter identity theft is B. Shred your financial documents after you use them.
Identity theft involves stealing someone's personal information, such as Social Security number, credit card details, or bank account information, with the intention of committing fraud. To protect yourself against identity theft, it is crucial to take certain precautions. Here's an explanation of why selecting option B is the right choice and why the other options are not advisable:
A. Sharing your personal information online: this increases the risk of identity theft as malicious individuals can potentially access your private data. It is important to be cautious about what information you share online and to be mindful of protecting your data on social media platforms and websites.
B. Shredding financial documents after use: this is an effective preventive measure. Financial documents such as bank statements, credit card bills, and receipts can contain sensitive information that identity thieves could potentially use. By shredding these documents before disposing of them, you ensure that your personal information is destroyed and less accessible to individuals with malicious intentions.
C. Sharing personal information on the phone: giving out personal information over the phone can be risky, as it's difficult to verify the identity of the person on the other end. Unless you are interacting with a trusted organization or service provider, it is generally recommended to avoid sharing personal information over the phone.
D. Throwing away paperwork with personal information on it: simply throwing away paperwork without properly destroying it, such as tearing it up or shredding it, leaves your personal information vulnerable to theft. Dumpster diving is a common method used by identity thieves to find discarded documents containing private data.
In summary, to deter identity theft, option B, shredding your financial documents after you use them, is the best choice. This practice ensures your personal information is destroyed, making it more challenging for identity thieves to access and misuse your data.