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Identity Theft and Fraud Protection - What Can You Do?

   Identity Theft Protection | Featured Articles

Here are some helpful steps that you can take to help reduce the risk of becoming a victim of identity theft and fraud.

General

  • Do not routinely carry your Social Security card, birth certificate, passport, or more than a few credit cards.
  • Never give out your ATM, debit card, or credit card PIN (Personal Identification Number).
  • When creating passwords and personal identification numbers (PINs), do not use any part of your Social Security Number, birth date, middle name, spouse's name, child's name, pet's name, mother's maiden name, address or consecutive numbers.
  • Memorize all of your passwords and PINs - never write them in your wallet, purse or Rolodex.
  • Do not leave bill payments in an unlocked mailbox.
  • Store your extra checks and deposit slips in a secure locked location and properly destroy canceled checks. Never leave your checkbook in your vehicle.
  • Protect your ATM, debit card, and credit card receipts and tear them up when you're done with them. Some receipts may bear the account number.
  • Tear up or shred unused credit card solicitations and convenience checks.
  • Cancel unused credit cards.
  • When you close out a bank account, be certain to destroy/shred your excess supply of checks and deposit slips.
  • Protect your checkbook and bank documents (including statements and canceled checks) so they aren't accessible to guests, contractors, repairmen, etc.
  • If your home is burglarized, check your supply of checks to determine if any have been stolen. Look closely, since thieves will sometimes take only one or two checks from the middle or back of the book, so it's harder to determine that they are missing.
  • Report lost or stolen checks, ATM cards, or debit cards as soon as you discover they are missing.
  • Shield the keypad when entering a PIN at an ATM, store or telephone.
  • When you fill out a credit application, be sure that the business either shreds these applications or stores them in locked files.
Reports/Statements
  • Review your bank, credit card, phone and utility statements for unauthorized use and report any discrepancies or suspect transactions immediately.
  • If you do not receive timely credit card statements or new or renewed credit cards, call the creditor and post office to see if an unauthorized change-of-address request has been filed in your name.
  • Order your credit report each year from each of the three major credit reporting agencies and check for accuracy and indications of fraud.
  • Check your Social Security Earnings and Benefits statement once each year to make sure that someone else is not using your Social Security Number.
  • Consider having your name removed from marketing lists. Request that credit reporting agencies and credit card issuers not release your personal information for marketing purposes.
  • You may request that your name be added to the Direct Marketing Association's name-removal list.

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