Tips to Help Protect Yourself

• Never give personal information over the telephone (such as your social security number, date of birth, mother’s maiden name, credit card number, or bank PIN code) unless you initiated the phone call.
• Beware of mail or telephone offers seeking solely to get your credit card numbers.
• Use caution when disclosing checking account and credit card numbers at any Web site.
• Sign your credit cards the moment you get them.
• Match credit card receipts against your monthly bills.
• Notify your credit card companies in advance of any change of address.
• Never loan your credit cards.
• Report all lost or stolen credit cards immediately.
• Promptly remove mail from your mailbox. Don’t leave unsecured mail in receptacles.
• Dumpster diving is an easy way for “identity thieves” to access sensitive information about you and your finances. Shred financial information before discarding it (such as pre-approved credit card applications, credit card receipts, and bills.)
• Carry few credit cards.
• Order your credit report from the three principal credit bureaus once a year. Check it for fraudulent activity and other discrepancies.
• Never leave receipts behind. Check bank machines, gas pumps, etc.
• Memorize your social security number and all your passwords. Don’t write them down.
• Closely monitor credit card expiration dates. Check with the issuer if replacement cards aren’t received in a timely manner.
• Choose passwords wisely by not using obvious information such as your birthday, anniversary, mother’s maiden name or SSN. Also, it’s safer to never use a common series of consecutive numbers such as “1234” or “5678.”
• By using a device called a “skimmer”, an unscrupulous waiter or store clerk can skim info from your cards. Whenever possible, keep a close eye on your credit/debit card or driver’s license if you hand them to someone else.
• Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet or purse unless it’s absolutely necessary.
• If you shop online, don’t check the “remember my password” box or especially the “remember my account information” box. It’s better to keep that information off your computer.
• After receiving cash from an ATM, don’t throw away the receipt at the ATM location. Take it with you and shred it if you no longer need it.
• Banking online can eliminate paper checks and statements, which can lower the risk of identity theft. Also, if you order new checks, arrange to pick them up at the financial institution, or have them delivered to a P.O. box, rather than risk having them stolen from your home mailbox.