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Identity Theft Prevention

Identity theft happens when someone obtains and uses your identifying information, such as your Social Security Number or your credit card or checking account numbers, to open new accounts in your name. Traditionally, these people get your information by redirecting your mail, stealing sales receipts, even going through the trash in search of credit card bills or monthly statements.

Preventing Identity Theft

1. Keep items with personal information in a safe place. Tear up or shred any papers with personal information, including receipts or statements, when you no longer need them.
2. Before revealing personal information, find out whom you’re dealing with, how the information will be used and if it will be shared with others.
3. Only give out your Social Security Number when it’s absolutely necessary. Remember if someone is calling your to verify information about you they already have that information. Never carry your Social Security card unless you will need it that day.
4. Consider the information you are supplying on entries to win a drawing for a trip, car and so on. To enter information such as your Social Security Number, age or income range is not usually necessary.
5. Photocopy financial cards and insurance cards you keep in your wallet (front and back) and keep the copies in a safe place. If your wallet is ever lost or stolen, you can promptly and accurately report the loss.
6. Order a copy of your credit report every year to verify that your credit report is accurate and that it includes only activities that you have authorized. You can now order a copy of your credit report, free of charge. Call 877-322-8228 or visit www.annualcreditreport.com.
7. If you do not receive mail for several days, when you normally would receive mail, contact the U.S. Postal Service to make sure that a thief has not diverted your mail by filling out a change of address form.

Recovering from Identity Theft

1. Contact all creditors, utilities, and financial institutions about fraudulent accounts. Note the name of the person you spoke with, date, time of day and the telephone number. Follow up the telephone conversation with a letter. Keep copies of all correspondence.
2. Close any suspicious accounts and open new ones using new passwords and PINs (Personal Identification Numbers). Don't use commonly recognized numbers such as the last four numbers of your Social Security Number, birth date, house number, and so on for your password or PIN.
3. *File a report with your local police department or the police where the theft took place. Get a copy of the report incase a creditor needs proof of the crime.
4. *File a complaint with the FTC at the Identity Theft Hotline toll free 877-438-4338.
5. *If it appears that someone is using your Social Security Number contact the Social Security Administration to verify the accuracy of your reported earnings and your name. Call 800-772-1213 to check your Social Security statement. You are your best defense against identity theft. Always know who you are giving identifying information to and when in doubt… don’t give it out.