| Identity theft has become the crime of the 21st | | | | report to each company if and when your |
| Century. Criminals steal personal information from | | | | belongings are lost or stolen. In case of loss, |
| others and then "pose" as their victim to secure | | | | immediately notify every company involved and |
| mortgages and loans, open new credit or make | | | | ask them to freeze your account. |
| purchases on existing accounts, or even access | | | | 7. Be smart when you choose your passwords |
| their victim's bank accounts to steal their money. | | | | Avoid using common passwords based on your |
| It's difficult to control identity theft. First, it's hard | | | | birth date, an anniversary, your phone number, or |
| to know when it's happening. Second, because the | | | | your pet's name. Mix letters with numbers and |
| thief is using a false identity, it's hard to catch and | | | | symbols. Avoid using the same password for all |
| prosecute them. | | | | your accounts, but be sure each of your |
| Federal and state governments are doing what | | | | accounts is password protected. Finally, change |
| they can to prevent identity theft by passing new | | | | your passwords at least twice a year. |
| legislation identifying it as a crime worthy of prison | | | | 8. Get regular credit reports |
| time and then trying to enforce the laws. | | | | Request your one-time-a-year free credit report. |
| Businesses are developing and installing better | | | | You have a right to it. And if you can afford the |
| security on their computer systems and trying | | | | additional cost, it would be better to get regular |
| harder to protect their customers' personal | | | | updates throughout the year. Intervals of 3 to 6 |
| information from hackers. | | | | months will help you keep close track on your |
| But, at least in today's world, preventing identity | | | | accounts and allow you to catch suspicious |
| theft falls largely upon us, the individual consumer. | | | | activity sooner. Call the three major agencies to |
| Here are some tips to help you protect yourself | | | | get your report: |
| from this malicious, damaging crime: | | | | Equifax: P.O. Box 740241 Atlanta, GA 30374-0241 |
| Here are some ways to prevent identity theft: | | | | For emergencies, call 1-800-525-6285 |
| 1. Protect your mail with a lock | | | | Experian: P.O. Box 2002 Allen TX 75013 |
| Whether using your residential mail box or renting | | | | For emergencies, call 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742) |
| a box at the Post Office or postal service, be | | | | Trans Union: P.O. Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022 |
| sure your mail is protected from the eyes and | | | | For emergencies, call 1-800-680-7289 |
| hands of greedy criminals. Stealing mail that | | | | 9. Review your bills when you receive them, and |
| contains personal information is perhaps the | | | | keep them in a locked safe place |
| biggest source of identity theft today. | | | | Be sure to note all purchases and transactions on |
| 2. Rent a box from your Post Office or a postal | | | | your monthly statements to be sure you are |
| service | | | | familiar with them. If you find a transaction you |
| Especially if you're frequently away from home, | | | | did not authorize, act on it immediately. Notify the |
| you'll enjoy better personal security if you keep | | | | company of your suspicions and submit a dispute |
| your mail where others have their eyes on it | | | | with the vendor. Save your old statements for at |
| when you're away. And you can let the service | | | | least a year in case a problem arises. And keep |
| know who is authorized to open your mailbox if | | | | your personal papers under lock and key. This |
| necessary. Keep the key with you, and don't lend | | | | would include birth certificates and social security |
| it to people you're not sure about. Use this | | | | cards; applications for mortgages, loans, and credit |
| service for posting your outgoing mail as well. | | | | cards; and bills, invoices, and monthly statements. |
| Don't leave it attached to your residential mailbox | | | | These documents are rich with personal |
| where anyone can pick it up. Finally, ask the Post | | | | information that will be a goldmine to an identity |
| Office to hold your mail while you're gone on long | | | | thief. If you can, keep these papers in a safe |
| trips. It will be much more secure at the post | | | | deposit box where only you and one other |
| office than in your mailbox. | | | | trusted person know the location and/or have a |
| 3. NEVER give out personal information over the | | | | key. |
| phone. | | | | 10. Invest in a good paper shredder |
| Some identity thieves pose as representatives | | | | The best way to protect personal information on |
| for a charity or a telemarketing or polling firm to | | | | papers you don't want to keep is to use a |
| fool you into trusting them enough to get your | | | | cross-cut paper shredder to destroy them before |
| personal information. Don't even give your birth | | | | you throw them away. This should include |
| date to them! Ask if you can call them back. | | | | outdated credit receipts, credit application copies, |
| Better yet, simply hang up. You don't owe these | | | | insurance forms you don't need anymore, |
| callers a thing! | | | | physician invoices and reports, old checks and |
| 4. Have a private, unlisted phone number | | | | bank statements, and expired credit cards you |
| You'll be more secure if the only people who | | | | don't intend to renew or use again. Do yourself a |
| know your number got it directly from you. And | | | | favor and immediately shred pre-approved credit |
| give your phone number to those people you | | | | applications. |
| trust. Ask them not to share it with others unless | | | | 11. Be careful with your credit cards |
| they ask you first. You have a right to your | | | | If at all possible, ask for a photo ID type credit |
| privacy. Don't use the unlisted number on internet | | | | card. And when you use it, note whether the |
| or printed forms either. And if you do get calls | | | | clerk checks your signature against the one on |
| from telemarketers, tell them to "Take my name | | | | the card. If they don't, you might want to avoid |
| off your list." By law, they can't call you again for | | | | that store in the future. Don't let a waitress or |
| a year when you make this request. | | | | waiter walk away with your credit card. Better to |
| 5. Keep your PINs and passwords in a safe place | | | | pay cash at restaurants than to risk the |
| If you don't feel comfortable memorizing your | | | | copy-it-while-I-have-it scam. |
| PINs and passwords and feel you must write | | | | 12. Use common sense online |
| them down. Be sure you store your lists in a | | | | Use encrypted or secure servers when you sign |
| locked, secure location. Don't let anyone else | | | | into financial accounts or make online purchases. |
| know where you keep the information, and don't | | | | Do not do business with websites you haven't |
| lend the key to anyone. Also, store your PINs in a | | | | heard of before. Don't open files sent to you by |
| different location as your plastic cards. A thief | | | | people you don't know. For that matter, don't |
| who can't guess your PIN will end up getting | | | | open e-mails from strangers. Delete them |
| locked out of the system. This will be a good | | | | immediately. Install and maintain current anti-virus, |
| warning sign for you, and it will protect your | | | | firewall, and adware software to block and delete |
| money! Also, if don't intend to use a credit or | | | | malicious cookies and spyware before it does any |
| debit card, don't carry it with you. Not only will this | | | | damage. Set your browser to refuse to open |
| protect it from being stolen, it'll help you stay | | | | pop-ups without your approval. Be careful and |
| within your personal budget! | | | | suspicious online. You can't see the person or |
| 6. Keep a photocopy of your wallet's contents in | | | | people at the other end, and you don't know |
| a safe, locked place | | | | what their intentions are. Limit your online |
| Make sure you have a record of the contents of | | | | purchases to well known businesses and places |
| your wallet or purse. That way, you can easily | | | | where you already have an account. |