Monitor Your Credit Reports
If you are entitled to one free credit report each year you can request a
report every four months by requesting one from each of the three credit
agencies in turn. It is wise to check your credit report at least once
every year even if you must pay to receive it. If you suspect your
identity has been stolen or have received notice of information that has
been stolen you may be able to get free reports throughout the first year
of the incident.
Don't Carry Your SSN in Your Wallet
Social Security Numbers, birth certificates, passports or any other
personal identification should not be carried in your wallet. The same
goes for extra credit cards and store or gas credit cards. The less you
carry the less risk if your wallet is stolen or lost.
Stop Pre-Approved Credit Offers
You can stop the mailing of pre-approved credit offers by calling
toll-free 888-5OPTOUT (888-567-8688). Ask to have your name removed from
the list as pre-approved credit offers can be easily abused by thieves.
Shred Personal Documents
If you do throw away pre-approved credit offers or other personal
information (such as old tax forms, bank statements or expired credit
cards) you must shred the information before disposing it.
Pick Up the Mail EVERY Day
Don't allow mail to sit overnight in the mail box or you give thieves an
easy target. Credit card offers, bank statements and possibly information
with your SSN can be used to open new credit in your name or steal from
you.
Don't Respond to Email Requests
If you are contacted by a bank or service provider through email you must
never submit any personal or financial information to them. These attempts
to 'trick' you into believing they are a legitimate business is called
phishing. If an email claims that you must validate your information and
provides you a link to the form DO NOT OPEN THE LINK! If you are concerned
that the request may be legitimate close the email and enter the URL to
the actual business in your browser window. If your account looks fine
contact their customer service department to verify the email. A
fraudulent email is called a 'spoof' and the company will likely want you
to forward it to them.
Don't Give Information to Phone Callers
Unless you initiate a call to a business you should never give personal or
financial information to a caller over the phone. Your bank or Credit Card
company will not ask for your card or account number if they call you.
They have that information on file.
If a caller portrays themselves to be representing a charity or offering a
prize or trip you can ask for a phone number to call back. Verify the
phone number and hang up. If they are with a reputable organization you
will be able to check the number and call back.
Telemarketing scams that ask for credit card deposits, account information
or personal information such as your mother's maiden name, your SSN or
other information are common. If you wish to donate it is better to call
the organization yourself.
Put Passwords on Your Credit Cards
Credit card companies like Visa offer added protection by allowing you to
create a password along with the card number when making a purchase. Even
if your card is stolen you can prevent thieves from using it by having it
password protected.
Be Aware of Who Has Access
Don't give passwords to credit cards or other personal information to
friends and family. According to a survey done by www.idtheftcener.org the
victim respondents indicated that 43% of them thought they knew the
imposter. About 34% were aware that the thief had a history of needing
money to support a drug, drinking, gambling or shopping addiction.
Online Shopping
Only shop at merchants you are familiar with or contact the Better
Business Bureau. Look for secure shopping sites with identifying marks
such as https appearing in the browser window or a lock icon appearing
below the webpage on your browser.
Never give PIN numbers or passwords to the merchant. Verify your bank
statements immediately online or over the phone to check the transaction
was made for the proper amount and no other charges were made. Be sure to
have anti-virus and anti-spyware programs running and always print out the
transaction record, log out and close the browser when completed. Read
more about Online Privacy in the following chapter.
Always Ask or Opt-Out
Whenever you are asked for personal information you have a right to know
why it is needed and how it will be used. Online you may find that
information in a Privacy Policy (read about that in the chapter 'How to
Read a Privacy Policy').
Limit the use of your personal information by requesting financial
institutions not to share your information with affiliates. This is called
'opting-out' and the financial institution must allow you to do so. Once
you have requested to opt-out, either on the phone or in writing, they
must never share your information unless you specifically request they do
so.
Sign Your Cards Immediately
When you do receive a new credit or debit card sign it immediately and
never carry it unsigned.
Don't Save Passwords
Don't save passwords to personal information (such as online banking) in a
program that 'remembers' your information. Remove cookies from your
computer and have your hard drive professionally 'wiped' before disposing
it.
Use strong passwords – that means a combination of letters and numbers
that can't be easily guessed. Never use information such as your mother's
maiden name or birth date that can be figured out by thieves.
Protect Your Computer
Set your browser security settings to Medium or higher. Install a firewall
to prevent unwanted access from hackers and install anti-virus and anti-spyware
programs. Never download software when you don't know where it's from and
never click on pop-ups or spam email.
Continue to Next Subject:
How to Identify a 'SPOOF'
Email
