Protecting your identity gets harder to do in such a wired world as we have today. Information is everywhere and is easily available to experienced hackers. In addition, not every one or every company plans for eventual data destruction. Protecting your valuable data and having effective data destruction plans in place has never been more critical to your overall survival.

  • So many large corporations with vulnerable data destruction or data protection plans have seen their security breeched in recent months. Nearly half of all American businesses and companies have had data recently stolen and security experts declare that every business will be a target sooner or later.
  • Be wary of people who are hanging closely around you when you are using any manner of data, especially your credit card. They can easily pick up on the numbers as well as your security code PIN.
  • Rather than signing the back of your credit card, write on it that a valid ID with photo must be presented at the time of use. This will prevent your card from being used in public should it be stolen. If your data is stolen, however, it will not help you with online purchases.
  • You need to buy a shredder and shred any personal documents and bills before you throw them away. Rummaging through people’s tossed trash is one of the major tactics used by identity thieves and hackers.
  • Proper data destruction is your only real chance of never having any of your identity stolen. If selling or recycling your electronics, especially your computer, you must seek out a professional data destruction service to insure that your hard drives are properly destroyed.
  • Watch your credit card statements to see if there has been any action related to purchases you did not make. Don’t make it easy for thieves and hackers. Stealing your mail is a relatively easy thing to do. Need to mail a bill? Do it at the post office. In addition, check out your credit reports at least once a year. Ideally, you should be checking it on a quarterly basis to check the data.

The proper protection of your data, as well as professional data destruction will be your best bet to keep your identity, and your life, safe from disaster.