INFORMATION: Simple Steps to Help Prevent Identity Theft
There are many ways to protect your private information from fraud, though some tasks take far more effort than others. However, it is far more difficult to clean up the damage done by identity thieves than taking a few simple steps early on.
•
Check your credit report at least annually from each of the 3 major credit reporting agencies.
•
Dispute inaccurate information immediately.
•
Keep identification and financial documents in a safe place.
•
Only provide personal information when
- you know how it will be used
- you are certain it won't be shared
- you initiated contact and know whom you are dealing with
•
Make your passwords hard to guess by using upper/lower case, numbers and symbols.
•
Put a hold on your mail delivery if away for several days.
•
Deposit outgoing mail at the post office.
•
Don't carry your Social Security number with you.
•
Review your Social Security Statement for accuracy.
•
Provide your Social Security number only when necessary.
•
Carry only credit and ATM cards you need, leave the rest home.
•
Shred old statements and bank notices.
•
Contact your credit card company and/or bank if you statement does not arrive on time.
•
Update virus protection on your computer on a regular basis.
•
Use a Firewall and a secure browser.
•
Only enter personal/financial information when the site is https vs. http.
•
When selling or disposing of an old computer, be sure to wipe the drive(s) clean of all data.
