Identity Theft Prevention
Stop Identity Theft Before It Happens

Tips for Identity Theft Prevention

An identity thief steals your personal information and uses it without your knowledge.  Sometimes even committing a crime with it, for which you could be held responsible

Nothing can guarantee that you won't become a victim of identity theft.  What you want to do is minimize the risk of becoming a victim by making it more difficult for identity thieves to get a hold of your personal information and minimize the damage that can be done.

Awareness is a good weapon against many forms of identity theft. 

• Be aware of how information is stolen and what you can do to protect your information
• Monitor your personal information so you can quickly uncover any possible problems.
• Know what to do when you suspect your identity has been stolen.

Knowing how to protect yourself from Identity Theft and what action to take when you become a victim will make it much more difficult for Identity Thieves to get what they want.

A Quick List Of Some Prevention Steps
You Can Take

1. Unless you save all of your charge card receipts, tear them up or shred them.
2. You should be saving your bank statements for a period of time.  Once they exceed the time, tear them up or shred them.
3. Cut up expired credit cards and credit offers.
4. Reduce the number of credit cards that you have.  Keep only one, or two at the most.
5. Don't carry your Social Security number, passport or birth certificate with you.
6. When you use your PIN at a cash or ATM machine, be aware of others who are nearby.  Make sure they can not see the numbers you are entering.
7. Don't throw your ATM receipt in the wastebasket.  Always take them with you.
8. Don't give your credit card or bank account number over the phone, over the Internet or through the mail unless you initiated the contact or you are absolutely sure of the legitimacy of the company you are dealing with.
9. Keep your personal information in a secure or out of the way place in your home.  Keep it in a secure place if you employ outside help or are having work done in your home.
10. When getting rid of papers with personal information, shred them, cut them up in small pieces or destroy them so the information can not be reconstructed.

Below are additional Prevention Steps with expanded explanations,
that you can take to avoid Identity Theft

1. Protect Your Social Security Number

Here are a few tips for protecting your SSN. 
See the Topic Social Security Number Protection for more information.

• Don't give out your Social Security number unless it's absolutely necessary.  For instance, it may be required by federal or state governments.
• Don't print your number on your checks.
• If you have a driver's license with your SSN on it, get a new driver's license and request that it not show the number.
• Some businesses routinely include Social Security numbers on their application forms.  Ask any business why it needs your number. When customers resist, managers will usually give in to the request.
• If your health insurance provider (other than Medicare) uses your Social Security number, ask them to use a different number.
• Don't carry your Social Security card with you.
• Don't write your Social Security number on your checks.
• Don't give your Social Security number unless it is absolutely necessary, but first ask the business to use another type of identification.
• If your state uses your Social Security number for your driver's license number, ask them to use another number instead.
• If your health insurance company uses your Social Security number as your policy number, ask them to use another number.

2.  Treat Your Trash Like It Is Valuable

Two places where identity thieves can get personal information about you is in your trash and from your mail.

To thwart identity thieves who may be tempted to pick through your trash or recycling bins to obtain your personal information, always shred copies of:

• Credit applications
• Credit card offers
• Insurance forms
• Charge receipts
• Expired charge cards that you are getting rid of
• Doctor's statements
• Checks and bank statements
• “Convenience checks” that you don’t plan on using.
• Papers that contain personal information.

3.  Play It Safe With Your Mail:

• When you have something to mail that contains personal identification information, rather than put it in an unsecured mailbox outside of your home, put it in a Post Office Collection box or drop it off at your local Post Office.
• When mail is delivered to your home, promptly remove it from the mailbox. 
• Request a vacation hold If you are planning to be away from home for an extended period of time and will not be able to pick up your mail
  • Contact the U.S. Postal Service at 1-800-275-8777
  • Visit their website at www.usps.gov
  • The Postal Service will hold your mail until you can pick it up or get back home to receive it.

4. Stop Pre-Approved Credit Offers.

There is a way to stop companies from sending you pre-approved credit offers.  By doing this, you will cut down the amount of junk mail that you receive.  Also, these credit offers are tempting targets for identity thieves who steal mail to gain personal information.

Call toll free to have your name removed from credit bureau marketing lists: 888-5OPTOUT (888-567-8688)

Be aware that you will be asked to give your Social Security number, which the consumer reporting agencies will need to match you with your file.

5. Don't Fall For “Phishing” Scams

Scam artists “phish” (pronounced "fish") for victims by pretending to be legitimate companies, stores, banks, and government agencies.  They do this on the Internet, over the phone, in e-mails and in the regular mail.
The best way to avoid a phishing scam is to:

1. Never give out you personal information unless you made the contact.
2. Do not respond to a request to verify your account number or password.
   Legitimate companies do not make requests for your information in this way.
3. If you receive an offer to buy merchandise or set up an account, be absolutely sure that you are dealing with a legitimate company before you give them any personal information.

6. Protect Your Computer

Here are a few tips for protecting your computer from Identity Theft. 
See the topic Protecting Your Computer for more details on each of the items listed.

1. Use a Firewall
2. Use Anti-Virus Software
3. Use Anti-Spyware Programs
4. Secure Your Wireless Network
5. Monitor Your Childs Online Activity
6. Use a Good Password
7. Have a Strong Defensive Plan When Going Online
8. Know That File Sharing Comes With Risks
9. Don't Fall for Phishing Scams
10. Be Smart When Shopping Online

7. Verify A Source Before Giving Out Your Personal Information

Do Not give out any of your personal information over the phone, through the mail, or on the Internet unless you were the one who initiated the contact and you are sure that you can trust the company you are dealing with.  Identity thieves are very clever and know some people are willing to give out personal information if a letter or website looks legitimate or the person on the other end of the phone sounds convincing. 

The thieves can pose as Internet service provider (ISP) employees, bank representatives or even government workers, and can give you a seemingly convincing story as to why you should give them your information.  They will try and get your Social Security number, account numbers, passwords and other information.

You can "Play It Safe" when dealing with a company by doing several things:

1. You should be the one to initiate the contact if you are going to give out personal information.
2. If you did not initiate the contact, then be very skeptical about giving out any information.  Most legitimate companies do not contact their customers in order to ask for personal information.
3. When you go to an organizations website, don't get there simply by clicking on a web address (URL) that was in an  email that you received.  Type in the URL yourself, in the address line of your browser.  The URL that you see can have a different underlying URL that you don't see.
4. Contact the company by using the telephone number or web address that is listed on your account statement or in the telephone book.

8. Purse And Wallet Safety

Know where your purse or wallet is at all time.

1. Do not casually lay your purse or wallet down when you are out.
2. If you take out your purse or wallet to pay for something, don't let it out of your hands.
3. If a store employee needs to see some identification, don't hand them your purse or wallet.  Take out the piece of id that they need and hand it to the clerk, while keeping your purse or wallet in your possession.
4. Don't carry your Social Security card or number.  Memorize the number.
5. Carry only the credit cards, debit cards and personal identification that you need for the day.
6. Be cognizant of when you are in a crowd of people and take action to avoid pickpockets and purse snachers.
   Keep a firm grip on your purse with the strap over your shoulder.
   Keep a hand over the pocket your wallet is in.

9. Keep Your Personal Information In A Secure Locations

At home, if you employ outside help, have roommates, or are having work done to your house, be sure to keep your personal information in a secure location.  Keep your purse or wallet in a safe place so anyone who is visiting can't see it and easily take it with them.

At work, keep your purse or wallet in a safe place or locked drawer.  If you cannot lock it up, then always take it with you when you leave your desk.  Also be sure any papers that you have with your personal information on them are kept safe, preferably in a locked drawer.

Be aware of the security procedures for important and personal information at work, your doctor's office, or other places that collect this information.  Find out:

1. Who has access to this information
2. How it is handled and used
3. If the information will be shared with anyone else or other companies, and if so, how will it be kept safe.
4. How it is disposed of when it is no longer needed

If you have concerns about any of these items, then let your concerns be known.  It is better to get a procedure changed or improved, rather than having you and others become a victim of identity theft.

10. Check Your Bank Statements and Bills

Open your credit card bills and bank statements as soon as you get them.  If an Identity Theft happens, you want to detect it immediately, not two months after it happens:

1. Inspect them closely.
2. Look for deductions or withdrawals to any account that you did not make. Report them immediately.
3. Did the statements arrive on time?  If it is a week past the time you normally receive it, contact your bank immediately to see if it has been held up for a reason.  A late arrival could mean that someone has changed your contact information.

11. Don't Be Afraid to Ask Questions

1. Ask questions whenever you are asked for personal information that seems inappropriate for the transaction
2. Ask how the information will be used and if it will be shared.
3. Ask how it will be protected. Explain that you’re concerned about identity theft.
4. If you’re not satisfied with the answers, consider going somewhere else.  "Safe" is always better than "Sorry"

12. Get Your Free Credit Reports

One of the best ways to protect yourself from identity theft is to monitor your credit history through a Credit Report.  It is best to check your Credit Report at least once a year.  The sooner you discover a case of Identity Theft, the easier it is to clear up. 

You can get one free credit report every year from each of the three national credit agencies:

1. TransUnion
2. Equifax
3. Experian

Do not contact the three nationwide consumer reporting companies directly, they only provide free annual credit reports through the Annual Credit Report Request Service.

More comprehensive monitoring services from the credit bureaus cost around $44 to over $100 per year.

See How To Order Free Credit Reports for more information.

13. Additional Resources

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