IDENTITY THEFT SUGGESTIONS

Identity Theft is one of the fastest growing fraud violations to date. 1 in 5 people are affected. In 2004, Identity Theft cost banking institutions approximately $31 billion dollars. Some of the ways that people steal names, credit card #, SS#  of their victims are: they go through trash, the internet, stealing mail out of mail boxes, and use credit card readers. This can be done at restaurants, your house or place of business.

Fraudulent e-mails are another fast growing way for people to get your information. The e-mails look like they are really from Banks, or other institutions, asking for information to update their files. They ask for account numbers, SS#, etc. Time and time again, citizens are giving out this information. The banks say that they would never send an e-mail asking you for any of that information. If you get one of them, do not respond, delete it.
 

Some of the ways that you can help protect yourselves are:

 

1. Don’t keep your Social Security card in your wallet.

2. Take your SS # off records at work and off of health cards.

3. Cancel credit cards that are not being used.

4. Take personal information off your checks. Don’t put your DL # or SS # on your checks.

5. Make sure that you get your bank statements on time, and that they haven’t been tampered with.

6. Report lost or stolen credit cards immediately.

7. Do not leave your ATM or credit card receipts lying around. Don’t put them in the trash - burn or shred.

8. When choosing pin # do not use the last four digits of your SS#, do not use your address or date of birth.

9. Keep track of bills.

10. Track your credit report once a year.

11. When purchasing merchandise online, make sure that the web address begins with https:\, or that there is a lock in the corner.

12. If mail is being taken from your mail box, contact the post master.

 

Doing all of this will still not make you 100% safe. It is up to you to clean up your credit once you have become a victim of Identity Theft, and it takes a long time to be totally cleared. Some other preventative measures that may be useful: If you can remember the three digit # on the back of your credit cards, scrap them off. Also, do not sign the back of your cards; write in “Ask for ID” instead.