Saturday, March 26, 2005
No matter how you store personal information -- either online or on hard copy -- you need to be able to access the information easily. Here's a simple plan to help you ensure that you can access your information when you need it:
Make a list of all your credit account numbers, issuing company names, and contact information. Do the same thing for your bank accounts and investment accounts. Also keep a record of the current balances, your Social Security card, and your birth certificate. Keep copies of your tax returns, as well.
Put the hard copies of the list in a safe location -- a fireproof safe or a bank safety deposit box. If the information is on a CD, keep the CD in a safe location.
If you need the information, you now have it in one place -- no need to panic when you need it.
When you update the information, make sure that you destroy any hard copies before discarding them. You do not want this information to fall into the wrong hands.
Make a list of all your credit account numbers, issuing company names, and contact information. Do the same thing for your bank accounts and investment accounts. Also keep a record of the current balances, your Social Security card, and your birth certificate. Keep copies of your tax returns, as well.
Put the hard copies of the list in a safe location -- a fireproof safe or a bank safety deposit box. If the information is on a CD, keep the CD in a safe location.
If you need the information, you now have it in one place -- no need to panic when you need it.
When you update the information, make sure that you destroy any hard copies before discarding them. You do not want this information to fall into the wrong hands.
