The following will help improve your chances to avoid identity theft:
Minimize the amount of information a thief can get, if you lose your wallet or purse:
Unless it is absolutely necessary, do not carry the following items with you:
Credit cards that you do not use regularly
Your Social Security card
Your birth certificate
Your passport
Minimize the amount of your personal information which is easily obtainable:
Remove your name from the "pre–approved offers of credit and marketing" lists of the major credit bureaus.
The "Opt–Out" Hotline for each reporting agency: Experian (formerly TRW), Equifax and Trans Union is:
"Opt–Out" Hotline: 1–888–567–8688
Sign up for the Direct Marketing Association's Mail and Telephone Preference Services. This will assure that your name is added to computerized name deletion lists used by nationwide marketers.
Mail Preference Service
P.O. Box 9008
Farmingdale, NY 11735
Telephone Preference Service
P.O. Box 9014
Farmingdale, NY 11735
Have your name and address removed from telephone directories and reverse directories.
Cancel any unused credit card accounts.
Always take your credit card receipt with you when you complete a transaction.
Retain your credit card receipts to check against your monthly statements.
Never discard credit card receipts, or carbons, in a public trash container.
Shred credit card receipts, or carbons, before you discard them in your garbage at home.
If a new, or reissued, credit card doesn't arrive when you expect it should, immediately contact the issuer.
When you order new checks, pick them up at the bank, do not have them delivered to your home.
Whenever you close a bank account, destroy all unused checks immediately.
If your bank, or credit card issuer sends you courtesy checks, either destroy them or store them in a secure location.
Mail your paid bills from the post office, not from home, or any street corner mailbox.
Install a locked mailbox at home.
Keep a list of all vital credit card and banking information in a secure place, or sign up for a credit card protection service.
In the event you prefer to keep your own records, do not keep the list in your wallet.
The list should include:
All account numbers;
All expiration dates; and,
Telephone numbers for the banks' or card issuers' customer service and fraud departments.
Never provide information regarding your credit card number, Social Security number, birthday, mother's maiden name, etc. over the phone to anyone unless:
You have a trusted relationship with the company; and,
You initiated the phone call.
Obtain your credit reports from all
three credit reporting agencies at least twice a year.
You can purchase a credit report directly from each credit reporting agency,
or you can visit www.credit.com
and obtain a free
credit report.
Review all accounts for accuracy.
Make sure that you are aware of every account.
Check to see if there is any unusual activity indicating possible fraud.
For extra protection when creating passwords, or personal identification numbers (PINS), do not use:
Your birthdate
your middle name
your pet's name
the last four digits of your Social Security Number
consecutive numbers
other information easily discoverable by identity thieves
Ask banks to add extra security protection to your account verification process.
Many will permit you to use an additional code (a word, or number) when accessing your account. The code you designate should be more creative than your mother's maiden name.
Do not write down your list of passwords on anything that you carry with you. Commit them to memory.
When using an ATM machine or phone card, shield your hand.
Your Social Security Number is one of the, if not "the," most sensitive pieces of personal information about you. It should be released only when necessary.
It is as private as your net worth and tax information;
It is the gatekeeper to your credit and bank accounts; and,
It is an identity thief's lottery ticket.
It should never be printed on your checks.
It should never be printed on your resume.
It should not be written on the back of any of your checks by a salesperson.
Carefully review all credit card and telephone bills, especially cellular phone bills, for unauthorized use.
Shred all personal information, especially pre–approved credit offers, before you discard it in the garbage.
You must not allow the following information to be reconstructed:
"Pre–approved" credit card offers
credit card, or ATM, receipts
phone, or other utility, bills
voided checks
Always keep canceled checks in a locked, preferably fire–proof, storage container.
