Protect yourself from identity theft by following these tips:
1. Do NOT sign the back of your credit/debit cards. Instead, write "PHOTO ID REQUIRED". Even better, get a credit/debit card with your photo on it if your bank offers the option.
2. When writing a check to pay for your credit card bill, do NOT write the complete account number on the check. Instead, put the last four digits of your account number only.
3. Never put your Social Security number on a check you write.
4. Photocopy the front and back of all of the cards in your wallet (including driver's license) and keep it in a safe place in your home. If you ever lose your wallet, you will have quick access to all of your account numbers and institutions to call to report the theft.
5. Use a paper shredder to destroy any documents or mail which contain personal information. Many thieves steal information from trash people throw away.
6. Do not give out personal information over the phone, mail or internet unless you initiated the contact.
7. Periodically review bank/credit card statements for transactions you did not make. Recently, thieves have been deducting small amounts from bank accounts and credit cards (such as $0.99 or $1.99) on a regular basis, because many people do not notice small amounts missing.
8. Limit what you carry in your wallet to necessary cards only. Leave your Social Security card and passport locked in a safe place at home unless you absolutely need it.
9. Make sure you have a strong password. It is recommended that your passwords be at least eight (8) characters long, do not contain dictionary words or proper nouns, have at least one number, have at least one uppercase letter and have at least one lowercase letter.
10. Avoid using your smartphone or computer on public WiFi to make online purchases or bank transactions, as the WiFi may not be secure. Save your banking and online shopping for your home computer and internet access.
11. Before disposing of an old cell phone or computer, be sure to wipe it clean of any personal information. The user manual will contain instructions on how to reset the product to its factory default settings.
12. Never keep your passwords or pin numbers written down in your wallet. If you need to write them down, lock them in a safe place at home.
13. Whenever entering your pin number at an ATM or store, check around you to make sure no one can see the number you enter. If you need to, use your free hand to shield the keypad from prying eyes.
If your wallet or identity is stolen, do the following IMMEDIATELY:
1. Use the photocopy of your cards to call your bank/credit card companies to report the theft.
2. File a police report in the jurisdiction where your wallet/card numbers were stolen. This is the first step toward an investigation and proves to credit providers that you were diligent.
3. Call the three national credit reporting agencies to place a fraud alert on your name. The alert means that any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit lines. These agencies are listed below.
Equifax 1-800-525-6285
Experian 1-888-397-3742
Trans Union 1-800-680-7289
4. Call the Social Security Administration Fraud Line and inform them of the theft at 1-800-269-0271.
