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The holiday season is the time of year when you should be spreading holiday cheer and buying the perfect gifts for everyone on your shopping list, not spending time recovering a stolen identity.
In order to ensure that your name and credit are protected, banks, credit card companies and other organizations are working overtime to protect you. By working with your financial institution, you can avoid becoming a victim.
Chase, for example, has developed sophisticated systems to prevent identity theft and has a 1,300-person support team that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. On its Web site, Chase educates its customers about the growing threat of identity theft and how to prevent it. With these resources and tools - and consumers who are careful with their personal information - Chase prevents up to 80 percent of fraud before it occurs.
Although fraud activity increases approximately 15 percent during the holiday season, it doesn't have to happen to you. So, as you reach for the plastic to purchase everything on your holiday shopping list, follow these easy steps to ward off any unwanted "presents" on your next credit card statement.
* Secure your personal information. Do not carry your Social Security card with you.
* Never give out personal information over the phone unless you initiate the call or know the organization.
* Be aware of suspicious e-mails that ask for confirmation of a credit card number, PIN or other sensitive information.
* Shred all documents that contain sensitive information.
* Check your credit bureau report at least once a year. - NU
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