| Copyright RebuildCreditScores 2008. All Rights Reserved |
Identity Theft: 13 Tips to
Protect Your Identity
March 2008
by rebuildcreditscores.com
Protect Your Identity
March 2008
by rebuildcreditscores.com
1. Your trash can be someone’s treasure
Do not throw important documents, credit card statements, credit card
offers, canceled checks, bank statements, receipts and any other
documents containing your personal information away without shredding.
If you cannot shred then tear the documents into as many pieces as
possible. If you get rid of your old computer you should always
get a strong utility wipe program that removes all of your
information. It's not enough to just delete the information.
2. Control your financial information
Many States have privacy laws preventing banks and other financial
services companies from sharing your personal financial information
without your permission. You may also have the right to limit the sharing
of your personal information with your companies’ affiliates. Make sure
your bank and financial companies have policies in place to limit access
to your personal information.
3. Protect your social security number
The first thing you can do to protect your social security number is do not
carry it in your wallet. If a company such as your health care provider
uses your social security number on a card, ask the company for a
different identifier. Government agencies and private businesses use
SSNs for a wide range of non-Social Security purposes This use of
SSNs as an identifier has given rise to identity thieves. While there is no
law that prevents businesses from requesting your SSN, there are
restrictions on what businesses can do with it. You are not required to
disclose your SSN; however, businesses can refuse to provide you with
service if you refuse to disclose your SSN.
4. Create good passwords
Do not choose obvious passwords like your birthday, your mother's
maiden name, your children's names or birthdays. Have more than one
password. Using one password for all online and email activity is
convenient, but very dangerous. Create strong passwords and commit
them to memory. Having a list of passwords stuck on your computer
monitor is not a good idea. When you go online and do your banking do
not save your password there. Never select the "remember me" option
when visiting sites.
5. Ask Questions
Ask how your personal information will be used whenever you are asked
for personal information. If you deem the transaction does not warrant
you giving your personal information, do not give it. If you are
contemplating providing your personal information inquire as to how the
information will be used and whether or not it will be shared. You have
the power to determine when and where to disclose your personal
information.
6. Watch out for phishing
Phishing is an attempt to acquire personal information such as
usernames, passwords, bank account numbers, social security numbers
and credit card numbers by pretending to be a trustworthy entity.
Thieves “phish” for victims by pretending to be banks, stores or
government agencies. They do this over the phone, email and U.S. mail.
Never respond to a request to verify your account number or password.
Banks and other legitimate companies do not request this kind of
information in this manner. Bottom line is to not give out your personal
information unless you made the contact first.
7. Put your financial information in a safe place
Do not leave your financial information laying around the house. You
may have hired help, cleaning people or construction workers, utility
companies even the cable man roaming around your home. Never leave
financial information in your mailbox for the postman or woman to pick up
when they deliver your mail. Financial information should be put directly
into a mailbox by you.
8. Protect your computer from viruses and spyware
Virus and Spyware protection software that is updated regularly can save
not only your computer but also your personal information. Free is not
always free. Downloading “free” software just may compromise the
security of your computer. Make sure the site you download from is one
that you know and trust. Do a quick search on particular software and
see what others are saying about it. Never click on links in pop-up
windows and spam email. Your Internet Explorer browser should be set to
“medium” and your firewall should be always be in use. Always use
strong passwords with at least eight characters, including a combination
of letters, numbers, and symbols that is difficult for others to guess.
9. Protect your credit card while online
When shopping online enter your personal information only when you
see “HTTPS” in the address bar along with a padlock symbol at the
bottom of the browser window. These are signs that your information will
be encrypted or scrambled, protecting it from hackers. Only shop on
secure sites and always check out the website before entering your
credit card number or other personal information. Read the privacy policy
and look for opportunities to opt out of information sharing. Beware of
websites with no privacy policy.
10. Review your bank and credit card statements
Bank and credit card statements should be opened as soon as you
receive them. Always review your statements, checking carefully any
unauthorized charges or withdrawals. If your statements do not arrive on
time, give the bank or credit card company a call. Someone may have
changed the contact information. Any charges you did not make or
remember making should be reported immediately.
11. Be careful when photocopying your financial information
Some photocopiers have a memory function which saves the data you
copy. Do not use this type of photocopier when copying financial
information. A computer savvy person can easily retrieve your
information. And always check the photocopier after you are done. You
do not want to leave sensitive documents in the machine.
12. Check your credit reports and opt-out
Monitor your credit reports. You are entitled to one free report, from each
credit reporting agency, Experian, Equifax and Transunion, once every
year. You are also entitled to your report if you have been denied credit,
a job or insurance within 60 days of your application. You can order free
reports at once or you can spread it out over time, like ever 3 months by
going to www.annualcreditreport.com. Sign up for a credit monitoring
service that will alert you whenever there is a change in your credit files.
Opt-Out of pre-approved credit card offers and have your name removed
from credit reporting agencies marketing lists. Identity thieves who steal
your mail can easily get your information from these pre-approved offers.
www.optoutprescreen.com
13. Make a police report
If you are a victim of identity theft always file a police report. The report is
your proof and you may need it to present to your creditors, your bank
and even the credit bureaus to prove you were a victim of a crime.
Do not throw important documents, credit card statements, credit card
offers, canceled checks, bank statements, receipts and any other
documents containing your personal information away without shredding.
If you cannot shred then tear the documents into as many pieces as
possible. If you get rid of your old computer you should always
get a strong utility wipe program that removes all of your
information. It's not enough to just delete the information.
2. Control your financial information
Many States have privacy laws preventing banks and other financial
services companies from sharing your personal financial information
without your permission. You may also have the right to limit the sharing
of your personal information with your companies’ affiliates. Make sure
your bank and financial companies have policies in place to limit access
to your personal information.
3. Protect your social security number
The first thing you can do to protect your social security number is do not
carry it in your wallet. If a company such as your health care provider
uses your social security number on a card, ask the company for a
different identifier. Government agencies and private businesses use
SSNs for a wide range of non-Social Security purposes This use of
SSNs as an identifier has given rise to identity thieves. While there is no
law that prevents businesses from requesting your SSN, there are
restrictions on what businesses can do with it. You are not required to
disclose your SSN; however, businesses can refuse to provide you with
service if you refuse to disclose your SSN.
4. Create good passwords
Do not choose obvious passwords like your birthday, your mother's
maiden name, your children's names or birthdays. Have more than one
password. Using one password for all online and email activity is
convenient, but very dangerous. Create strong passwords and commit
them to memory. Having a list of passwords stuck on your computer
monitor is not a good idea. When you go online and do your banking do
not save your password there. Never select the "remember me" option
when visiting sites.
5. Ask Questions
Ask how your personal information will be used whenever you are asked
for personal information. If you deem the transaction does not warrant
you giving your personal information, do not give it. If you are
contemplating providing your personal information inquire as to how the
information will be used and whether or not it will be shared. You have
the power to determine when and where to disclose your personal
information.
6. Watch out for phishing
Phishing is an attempt to acquire personal information such as
usernames, passwords, bank account numbers, social security numbers
and credit card numbers by pretending to be a trustworthy entity.
Thieves “phish” for victims by pretending to be banks, stores or
government agencies. They do this over the phone, email and U.S. mail.
Never respond to a request to verify your account number or password.
Banks and other legitimate companies do not request this kind of
information in this manner. Bottom line is to not give out your personal
information unless you made the contact first.
7. Put your financial information in a safe place
Do not leave your financial information laying around the house. You
may have hired help, cleaning people or construction workers, utility
companies even the cable man roaming around your home. Never leave
financial information in your mailbox for the postman or woman to pick up
when they deliver your mail. Financial information should be put directly
into a mailbox by you.
8. Protect your computer from viruses and spyware
Virus and Spyware protection software that is updated regularly can save
not only your computer but also your personal information. Free is not
always free. Downloading “free” software just may compromise the
security of your computer. Make sure the site you download from is one
that you know and trust. Do a quick search on particular software and
see what others are saying about it. Never click on links in pop-up
windows and spam email. Your Internet Explorer browser should be set to
“medium” and your firewall should be always be in use. Always use
strong passwords with at least eight characters, including a combination
of letters, numbers, and symbols that is difficult for others to guess.
9. Protect your credit card while online
When shopping online enter your personal information only when you
see “HTTPS” in the address bar along with a padlock symbol at the
bottom of the browser window. These are signs that your information will
be encrypted or scrambled, protecting it from hackers. Only shop on
secure sites and always check out the website before entering your
credit card number or other personal information. Read the privacy policy
and look for opportunities to opt out of information sharing. Beware of
websites with no privacy policy.
10. Review your bank and credit card statements
Bank and credit card statements should be opened as soon as you
receive them. Always review your statements, checking carefully any
unauthorized charges or withdrawals. If your statements do not arrive on
time, give the bank or credit card company a call. Someone may have
changed the contact information. Any charges you did not make or
remember making should be reported immediately.
11. Be careful when photocopying your financial information
Some photocopiers have a memory function which saves the data you
copy. Do not use this type of photocopier when copying financial
information. A computer savvy person can easily retrieve your
information. And always check the photocopier after you are done. You
do not want to leave sensitive documents in the machine.
12. Check your credit reports and opt-out
Monitor your credit reports. You are entitled to one free report, from each
credit reporting agency, Experian, Equifax and Transunion, once every
year. You are also entitled to your report if you have been denied credit,
a job or insurance within 60 days of your application. You can order free
reports at once or you can spread it out over time, like ever 3 months by
going to www.annualcreditreport.com. Sign up for a credit monitoring
service that will alert you whenever there is a change in your credit files.
Opt-Out of pre-approved credit card offers and have your name removed
from credit reporting agencies marketing lists. Identity thieves who steal
your mail can easily get your information from these pre-approved offers.
www.optoutprescreen.com
13. Make a police report
If you are a victim of identity theft always file a police report. The report is
your proof and you may need it to present to your creditors, your bank
and even the credit bureaus to prove you were a victim of a crime.
It occurs when someone
uses your personally
identifying information,
like your name, social
security number, or credit
card number, without
your permission.
Identity theft crimes can
take years to resolve,
often involving victims
attempting to repair their
credit and restore their
good name. It can be
devasting.
uses your personally
identifying information,
like your name, social
security number, or credit
card number, without
your permission.
Identity theft crimes can
take years to resolve,
often involving victims
attempting to repair their
credit and restore their
good name. It can be
devasting.
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The Federal Trade Commission estimates as many as 9 million Americans
have their identities stolen each year, Identity theft is becoming the fastest
growing crime in the nation and computer technology and the Internet have
made it much easier for identity thieves.
have their identities stolen each year, Identity theft is becoming the fastest
growing crime in the nation and computer technology and the Internet have
made it much easier for identity thieves.
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