The Identity Theft Quiz

You may think your identity is perfectly safe andB) I review my financial statements whenever I
that identity and credit card theft could onlycan get to it, but not monthly.
happen to someone else, but take a few minutesC) I review my financial statements as soon as I
to answer this Identity Theft Quiz, and see howreceive them, every month.
safe your money and identity really is. Each6) Where do you get you own personal mail?
answer is worth between 1 and 5 points, whichA) I use an unlocked mailbox that's right in front
you can tabulate at the end of the quiz to seeof my house.
how well your identity is truly protected:B) My mailbox is lockable, but I don't always lock
1) What is your primary method of disposal forit.
personal finance information?C) I've made sure I have a locked or secure
A) For the most part, I tear the information up,mailbox/PO Box for all my mail
and then dispose of it.7) What method do you use to send outgoing
B) I tear some of the information and shredmail?
some of it before I dispose of it.A) I always leave my mail in my own, unlocked
C) I use a cross-cut shredder to destroy myhome mailbox
documents every time, before disposing of them.B) I will either leave it in my own, unlocked
2) What method do you use for disposal ofmailbox with the flag up, or occasionally drop it
unsolicited, pre-approved credit card direct mailingoff at a secured mail drop box.
information?C) I only drop my mail in a locked mailbox, or US
A) I simply dispose of them in the garbage can.Mail collection box.
B) I always destroy them in some fashion - either8) Do you ever carry your Social Security card in
I tear them up, or I shred them.your purse or wallet?
C) I always use a cross-cut paper shredderA) I do carry my Social Security card with me on
before I dispose of them.a regular basis.
3) What method do you use to discard otherB) I don't always carry my Social Security card,
personal information like bank statements, paybut sometimes I travel with it.
stubs, credit card bills, cancelled checks or utilityC) I never bring my Social Security card with me.
bills?I store it in a safe place.
A) I generally tear the information up and then9) Is your Social Security number included on any
dispose of itpersonal information you carry with you? (Checks,
B) Sometimes I tear the information up, andID cards, health-insurance or prescription drug
sometimes I shred it.cards)
C) I always use a cross-cut paper shredderA) I really couldn't say. I haven't noticed.
before I dispose of any of these materials.B) My social security number is on several of my
4) When do you check your credit report by anyID or insurance cards.
of the major credit bureaus?C) No, I don't have my social security number on
A) I've never checked my credit reportanything that can be found on my person.
B) I have checked my credit card before, but itsYou can calculate your score using the following
been over a yearkey: A=1, B=3, C=5. A score of less than 20
C) In the past year, I have checked my creditmeans that you might be at real risk for identity
reporttheft. A score of 20-37 means that you have
5) Upon receiving financial statements of any kindbegun taking the right steps but you can still
(credit card bills, checking accounts, utility bills), doimprove. A score of 38-45 means that you are
you thoroughly review these statements for anydoing the right things to protect your identity.
errors?However, you still need to be careful because it
A) I really don't review my financial statementsonly takes one piece of information to end up the
regularly at all.wrong hands to result in your identity being stolen.