Minds the blows that a person could be stolen. Not actually, but mostly. Not in a human trafficking kind of way (tho’ that happens on the regular shudder) but that all the individualized financial info that makes up a modern person can be … hijacked, spirited away, used by others for gain, all without the stolen person’s knowledge.
Unless/until too late, a’cours.
Minds the boggles that a few decades ago identity theft was not a real thing, kind of a thing, but not really a thing … back before at most it was a relative cashing dead grandma’s pension checks while her body rested in a backyard hole, or maybe parents blowing up their kids’ credit to keep the lights on but other than that, the idea of some stranger riffling through garbage for personal data to open credit accounts, get car loans, buy plane tickets … unheard of.
Who was the guy in that movie about that thing … he pocket-picked the dude and then bought suits, got cash from the picked’s bank, and was enjoying a steak dinner when the card was finally declined. Porter, Mel Gibson, Payback.
See? Even then they knew not to kill the dog. Anyhoo …
Mr. Edelman offers some basic suggestions to guard against the theft of one’s financial self, such as shredding everything with name, address, account numbers, ATM and credit card receipts, utility bills, such and such … basically all mail, and have the aforesaid mail sent to a commercial PO Box like the UPS Store or other mail receiving service, with nothing ever mailed directly to the personal residence. Locked home mail boxes are an option, but once broken into, well … duh.
Do not write down PINs, anywhere, anytime. Memorize. And do not use birthdays, anniversaries, etc. 6767 is cute but stupid. Go with a 2-digit month or 4-digit year of something significant but not easily discoverable, like the year graduated from college or start date of first job. Ugedit.
Most importantly, guard that SSN, the personal, the spouse’s, and all the children. Do not disclose unless and until there is an overriding, mandatory requirement, and then ask to use another personally identifying number.
Unfortunately, the government and private enterprise have conspired to use this singularly identifiable piece of information to tie everyone to their everything, and if that gets stolen … well, just say … let the games begin.
Anyone who has ever had an identity stolen can attest to that hellish nightmare, so best course is limiting access and protecting the info.
Check each of the big three credit reports at least once a year and maybe get a preemptive freeze. One of those credit monitoring services is an option but an expensive and foolish one. Tend to the mote in thy own eye {Matthew 7:5} and gird those financial loins.
Forewarned is forearmed.
Rough in these FICO streets.