§       If someone representing your bank telephones you or emails you needing information, do not give them information that is already on file at your bank.  The only purpose of such a call is to try and get the information for their benefit.

§       Always check your monthly statements from your bank and credit card accounts.  Notify the appropriate institution of any suspicious transactions.

§       When you are away from home, have your mail held at the post office or have someone you trust retrieve it from your mailbox everyday.

§       If you receive applications in the mail for “preapproved” credit cards, discard them by tearing or shredding the enclosed material.  Also shred any mail or transaction which has any personal data on it.

§       Only carry information with you that you need. 

§       Do not put your social security number on your checks.

§       If you see suspicious attachments on an ATM that do not appear to be part of the machine, don’t use the ATM.  Thieves install their own device called a “skimmer” which records all your account information and even records your pin number when you punch it into the keypad.  Skimmers can also be attached to cash registers.   When dining out, pay with cash or credit instead of debit.  If your credit card bill is late arriving, call and find out why.  Sometimes thieves request a change of address before you notice you haven’t gotten a statement.

§       If you receive calls or letters from debt collectors or businesses about merchandise you did not purchase or if you are ever denied credit, find out why.  This may be the first indication your identity has been stolen.

§       Beware of e-mail scams.   One example is: The sender sends an e-mail advising you that your internet service is out of date and you need to click on a link to avoid having your account terminated.  This is a scam to get personal information from you.

§       Be aware of on-line merchants who offer great prices but give you no off-line way of contacting them.

§       Never post private information on forums. 

§       To be more secure, use passwords that include both letters and numbers instead of just words or numbers alone.  Avoid using information like your mother’s maiden name, your birth date or the last four digits of your social security number.

§       Memorize your passwords instead of carrying them with you.

§       Use up-to-date anti-virus software.

§       Check your credit report at least once per year by contacting one of the three credit bureaus listed below.

§       If you have children, check their credit report at least once per year.  Theirs should read “No credit history”.  Report anything else as identity theft.  When a child’s identity is stolen, it could be years before it is noticed and this could cause a ruined financial future for the child.

§       IF YOU ARE A VICTIM:

§       File a police report.

§       Notify your financial institution and creditors immediately.

§       Notify the Credit Bureau Fraud Departments:

               EQUIFAX – 1-800-525-6285

               EXPERIAN- 1-800-397-3742

               TRANS UNION – 1-800-680-7289

You may also call the Federal Trade Commission for additional advice at 1-877-438-4338