Shredding

While I believe you can shred all of the documents you want from here to Timbuktu and still be vulnerable to identity theft, shredding is a good start in ensuring the protection of your identity. Years ago, I purchased a little shredder that fit on top of a trash can, and it would help in shredding my documents. After becoming a victim of identity theft, I invested in a much larger, full-machine shredder-I’m not messing around!

This past weekend, I spent the bulk of the weekend shredding and shredding and shredding. I tend to keep everything, thinking I may need it in the future-not yet have I needed to access my cable bill from seven years ago. So, I decided to still kept my tax information and a couple years back of bills, but shredded the rest. It felt good to purge all of that information with all of my information.

Now to keep it up!

akajanedoe and the nine-digit meaning

"akajanedoe" stems from being a victim of identity theft. The meaning behind it is simple. As I was experiencing being a victim of this crime, I felt like I lost my identity (which is probably why this crime is called..."identity theft"...touché).

I had to continuously prove I was who I said I was to unravel the mess that was created by the criminal.

Identity theft struck me. It struck me hard. Sure, I had heard of identity theft before, but really had no idea of its ramifications until I became a victim. Someone screwing with your one and only social security number will get your attention.

There is so much I want to say about identity theft, about what I experienced...what you could experience. So I created a blog.

I think people dismiss the notion of identity theft happening to them because they think the only way you become a victim is by falling prey to a fraudulent e-mail, or if someone calls and you give them your personal information-but think about all of the organizations you trust to hold your information. From your educational institution to a job application. Don't tell me you've never filled out those nine digits on a form before. All it takes is someone (let's call them a criminal) to get their hands on your personal information and coupled with today's "convenient" technology it is the perfect formula for identity theft.