| 1- Check your credit report regularly | | | | public places always take receipts with you. |
| 2- Secure personal information in your home, | | | | 11- When creating passwords and PINs (personal |
| especially if you have roommates, employ outside | | | | identification numbers), do not use the last four |
| help, or are having work done in your home. | | | | digits of your Social Security number, mother's |
| 3- minimize the amount of information someone | | | | maiden name, your birthdate, middle name, pet's |
| can steal, do not carry extra credit cards, your | | | | name, consecutive numbers or anything else that |
| Social Security card, birth certificate or passport in | | | | could easily be discovered by thieves. It's best to |
| your wallet or purse, except when needed. | | | | create passwords that combine letters and |
| Always store your wallet in a safe place. | | | | numbers. |
| 4- Make sure you have a locked mailbox, post | | | | 12- Install and update virus protection software to |
| office box or commercial mailbox service. When | | | | prevent a worm or virus from causing your |
| you are away from home for an extended time, | | | | computer to send out files or other stored |
| have your mail held at the Post Office, or ask | | | | information |
| someone you trust to pick it up. | | | | 13- Do not open files sent to you by strangers, or |
| 5- Pickup new checks at the bank. Do not have | | | | click on hyperlinks or download programs from |
| them mailed to your home. | | | | people you don't know. Opening a file could |
| 6- Reduce the number of credit cards you | | | | expose your system to a computer virus which |
| actively use to a minimum. | | | | could capture your passwords or any other |
| 7- Cancel unused bank or credit accounts. | | | | information as you type it into your keyboard. |
| 8- Keep a photocopy of all your credit cards, | | | | 14- Install a firewall on your home computer to |
| bank accounts, and investments. | | | | prevent hackers from obtaining personal |
| 9- Never give out your SSN, credit card number | | | | identifying and financial data from your hard drive |
| or other personal information unless you are sure | | | | 15- Before disposing of your computer, remove |
| the source is secure. | | | | data by using a strong "wipe" utility program. |
| 10- Do not throw out your credit card receipts in | | | | |