Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information-such as; name, social securtity or credit card number- to steal money from your accounts, establish fradulent accounts in your name or borrow against your credit.
Protect yourself: Shred any papers with your personal information (preferably with a cross/cut shredder).
Never write your social security number or your driver's license number on your checks.
Report lost/stolen credit cards/checks and identification immediately to the issuers!
Shop on-line with reputable merchants and secure sites only. Watch to see that the URL http has an s added (https)which indicates a secure site. Check to see if an icon that looks like a lock is there too.
Do not respond to requests (via e-mail)for information asking you to click and go to their site to update information. There are scams called Phishing (sounds like fishing!)where they can replicate the site and they can gather your information that way.
If anyone calls asking you for personal information, do not provide it. You should make a call to the company (using the number from your telephone directory!)and ask to talk to the specific department handling your accounts. Be wary!
Send mail only from secure mailboxes. If the mail is overflowing the box, DO NOT leave your mail in it!
For more information: www.consumer.gov/idtheft
Obtain your credit report yearly (1 FREE each year!).
You only need to alert one credit bureau to place a fraud alert on your record; they are required to notify the other two.
TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
Experian: 1-888-397-3742-6
or 1-888-EXPERIAN
Close fraulent or tampered-with accounts.
Ask issuers to clear your account.
Call local law enforcement and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) 877-ID-THEFT
