Identity Theft is growing crime affecting millions of consumers each year but you can reduce your chances of being affected. If you are a victim, MinCal’s lawyers can help. Call us for a free consultation. Below is a list of tips for ID Theft Prevention.
10 Tips for
Identity Theft Prevention
1. Protect your Social Security number
Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet. Don’t freely give your social security number to just anyone who asks, especially telephone solicitors, emails, or other phishing schemes.
2. Shred, Shred, Shred
Before you throw away a document with personal information like a credit card statement, bank statement, receipt, convenience checks, etc., make sure you SHRED that document. Thieves will look for your personal information in discarded trash and use this information to steal your identity and/or fraudulently open up accounts in your name.
3. Don’t take the bait… Fight “phishing”
Scam artists “phish” for victims by pretending to be banks, stores, government agencies, or other types of organizations. They will do this over the phone, through e-mails, regular mail, and sometimes in person. DON’T GIVE OUT YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION, unless you made the contact and you can verify the organization. DO NOT respond to requests to verify your account number or password. Legitimate companies will not request this kind of information in this way.
4. Stop pre-approved credit offers
Stop most pre-approved credit offers. They make a tempting target for identity thieves who steal your mail. Have your name removed from credit bureau marketing lists. Call toll-free 1-888-5OPTOUT (567-8688).
5. Check your bills and bank statements vigilantly
Open your credit card bills and bank statements right away. Check your statements carefully for any unauthorized charges or withdrawals and report them immediately. Call if bills don’t arrive on time. It may mean that someone has changed contact information to hide fraudulent charges.
6. Ask questions
Ask questions whenever you are asked for personal information that seems inappropriate for the transaction. Ask how the information will be used and if it will be shared. Ask how it will be protected. Explain that you’re concerned about identity theft. If you’re not satisfied with the answers, consider going somewhere else.
7. Shield your computer from viruses and spyware
Protect your personal information on your home computer. Use strong passwords with at least eight characters, including a combination of letters, numbers and symbols, that is easy for you to remember, but difficult for others to guess. Use firewall, virus and spyware protection software that is updated regularly. Download free software only from sites you know and trust. Don’t install software without knowing what it is.
8. Pay Bills at the Post Office
Don’t leave paid bills in your mailbox to be sent out. Any thief who raids your mailbox will be able to gather some critical personal information about you. Often times, they can also copy your check information and write additional checks off your account numbers.
9. What’s in your wallet?
Make photocopies of the personal material in your wallet: Driver’s license, credit cards, insurance cards, etc. (front and back). Now, if your wallet is ever lost or stolen, you won’t be left wondering what was actually taken and you’ll be able to quickly notify the appropriate agencies about what has taken place.
10. Check your credit reports, for free
One of the best ways to protect yourself from identity theft is to monitor your credit history. You can get one free credit report every year from each of the three national credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Request all three reports at once, or be your own no-cost credit-monitoring service. Just spread out your requests, ordering from a different bureau every four months. Order your free annual credit reports by online at www.annualcreditreport.com, toll-free, at 1-877-322-8228. Or you can mail in an order form.
