Financial

Remember to protect your identity in a relationship

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As one of the fastest-growing crimes in the country, identity theft is an increasingly important concern. And it's not just the crime of strangers; identity theft committed by family, friends, and acquaintances happens more often than you would think.

No matter the stage of your relationship, not everything needs to be shared. Compromising one person’s credit score, passwords, or other security info for the other person’s benefit can doom a relationship. Follow these tips to help safeguard your personal information and help keep your relationships on track. For added peace of mind, AAA members can enroll in free or discounted options through Experian®.  

Password-protect everything, and never share your password

Some people profess to sharing passwords as a symbol of mutual trust. Others allow friends or significant others to use their accounts because it makes things easier. Keep in mind, there’s nothing easy about getting out from under mountains of debt racked up by another person.

Keep personal files private

Keep important personal documents out of eyesight and easy access. There’s little reason your significant other needs easy access to your Social Security card, retirement account balances, pay stubs, personal insurance information, etc. This kind of information can be tempting when someone is in financial trouble.

Shred pre-approved credit card offers

If you have halfway decent credit, your mailbox is probably stuffed with opportunities to get more credit or access to cash. This is one of the easiest ways for someone to get a free ride on your good name. Be diligent about shredding all pre-approved card offers and credit card convenience checks.

Stay on top of your credit

Being diligent about protecting yourself is an important first step, but it isn’t a guarantee of a clean credit profile. Check your credit regularly to be certain that all the accounts in your name are truly yours.

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Get free identity theft protection

By avoiding habits that put you at risk while shopping online, you can help protect yourself against identity theft. Get the tools you need to help safeguard your identity and resolve potential issues by enrolling in ProtectMyID® Essential, a free plan for AAA members provided by Experian®.

Enroll today

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