How Can I Protect My Identity?
There are a number of steps to take protect yourself from identity theft. If you follow them regularly, you make it more difficult to be a victim of financial fraud or other crimes.
Get copies of your credit report.
There are three major credit reporting agencies (CRAs). They are Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Get a credit report from each of them, every year. You should look for unauthorized activity that could have come from identity theft.
The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, signed in 2003, requires that the 3 national CRAs provide you with a free copy of your credit report on request, every 12 months.
Pay attention to your billing cycles.
Always review your billing statements for inaccuracies. Follow-up with lenders if your bills don't arrive when you expect them. A missing bill could mean you have become a victim. An identity thief could have taken over your payment card and changed your billing address to hide from you (and the law).
Verify all transactions have been made with your permission. If not, you must promptly dispute them (you only have 30 days). For disputes, write your lender about any fraudulent activity.
Destroy Your Sensitive Documents.
Sometimes an identity thief will pick through your garbage or recycling bin to get your personal information. To stop this, tear up or shred...
- credit card receipts,
- any copies of credit applications,
- insurances forms,
- doctor statements, and
- cancelled bank checks.
Destroy expired payment cards along with unused credit offers you receive by mail.
DO NOT GIVE OUT PERSONAL INFORMATION.
Unless you are making the request or trust the person receiving it, do not give your personal information away by phone, mail, or the internet. An identity thief can pretend to be from a bank, ISP, or government agency. They will do whatever it takes to get your personal information (e.g. SSN, financial account numbers, or other personally identifying information).
These scams are abundant. They can occur over the phone, by mail, on the internet, or in person. Be especially wary of unsolicited email that asks for your personal information.
Keep Your Personal Information In A Safe Place.
Be careful where you put personal information in your home. This applies especially to those with roommates, when you employ outside help, or have work done in your home. Recently, the Federal Trade Commisssion (FTC) estimated a quarter of victims knew the identity thief. Often it was a family member, relative, friend, neighbor, or in-home employee.
Do not keep Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) near your checkbook, ATM cards, debit cards, or credit cards. Instead, keep a record, separate from your cards, in a safe place. This record should have card expiration dates, account numbers, and telephone and billing addresses for each to help you report fraudulent activity quickly.
Guard Your Mail To Prevent Theft.
Outgoing mail should be deposited in the mail boxes or the local post office. Get your mail as soon as it is delivered. Consider getting a lock on your mailbox or use a post office box for incoming mail.
If you plan to be away from home and can't get your mail, contact the Post Office to request a vacation hold. The Post Office holds your mail at the local post office until you can get it.
Guard Your Social Security Number.
Only give it when absolutely necessary. Ask to use other types of identifiers, if possible. Do not carry your SSN with you. Keep it in a safe place.
Learn How Your Personal Information Is Used.
Pick passwords that are difficult to guess, but not too difficult that you'll forget! Put passwords on your credit cards, bank accounts, and phone accounts. This is another level of security to prevent identity theft.
Do not use your mother's maiden name or other easily obtainable personal information for your passwords. This includes your birthdate, the last four digits of your SSN, your phone number.
Do Not Carry More Than You Need.
Limit the personal information you carry. Keep credit cards separated from your wallet. A zippered compartment, a business card holder, or a small pouch are good places for them.