Protect Yourself From Identity Theft & Fraud

Today more than ever, it's imperative that you guard your personal identity information to protect yourself against identity theft and fraud. Despite your best efforts to manage the flow of your personal information or to keep it to yourself, skilled identity thieves may use a variety of methods, both low and high tech, to gain access to your data.

Once a thief has access to your personal information, they can use it in the following ways:

They can call your credit care issuer and, pretending to be you, ask to change the mailing address on your credit card account. The imposter then runs up charges on your account. Because your bills are being sent to the new address, it may take some time before you realize there's a problem.
They open a new credit care account, using your name, date of birth, and SSN. When they use the credit card and don't pay the bills, the delinquent account is reported to your credit report.
They establish phone or wireless service in your name.
They open a bank account in your name and write bad checks on that account.
They file for bankruptcy under your name to avoid paying debts they've incurred.
They counterfeit checks or debit cards, and drain your bank account.
They buy cars by taking out auto loans in your name.
They give your name to the police during an arrest. If they're released from police custody and don't show up for their court date, an arrest warrant is issued in your name.

However, you can reduce your identity theft exposure by managing your personal information wisely, cautiously, and with an awareness of being informed.

General Safety Tips

Check your credit report for accuracy annually. Order a free credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com.
Be aware of who is listening when you give personal information over the phone, whether at your desk at work or in public on a cell phone.
Never put your account number or telephone number on the Internet, unless the information is encrypted on a secure site.
Never give out personal information over the phone or Internet unless you have initiated the conversation. When you do provide personal information, ask how they plan to use, secure, and dispose of it.
Keep a list of account numbers and creditor phone numbers in a safe place so you can cancel them quickly if needed. Don't store account numbers on any computer that connects to the Internet.

Wallet Safety Tips

Most of us carry around credit cards that we rarely use. Reevaluate what you use and what needs to be discarded. Identity thieves will be watching you — especially in crowded shopping centers — while you're busy shopping. Easy targets are men with wallets in their back pockets and women with open purses.

Empty your wallet of any credit cards or pieces of identifications you don't use frequently.
Don't carry your social security card, birth certificate, or passport on you.
Cut up old or expired credit cards. Close all inactive credit card and financial accounts

Home/Mail Safety Tips

Consider a P.O. box or locked mailbox.
Keep a calendar for expected or regular monthly bills so that you’ll notice if they don’t arrive. One of the first things thieves do is call to change the address on accounts so that you are not aware of fraudulent charges.
When paying bills, drop them at the post office.
Have your checks delivered to your bank, rather than your home.
Never put your account number or telephone number on the outside of an envelope or on a postcard.
Do not leave statements or other documents with your personal information lying around.
Keep track of any new credit cards you're expecting in the mail. If they don't come when expected, call the creditor.
Reduce unsolicited credit card applications by calling 888-5OPT-OUT to have your name removed from marketing lists.
Review your bank statements each month and your credit report twice a year. If anything appears fraudulent, call the creditor immediately and put an alert on your reports.
Keep all of your personal information — your Social Security number, account numbers and passwords — in a safe place that only you have access to. When discarding documents, shred anything that contains your personal information.
Consider investing in a paper shredder to:
- Shred all personal documents, even if they’re junk mail.
- Shred financial statements and preapproved credit offers when you do not need them.
- Shred credit card receipts and medical records.

Credit Card Safety Tips

Keep a list of all your credit cards, loans, account numbers, and expiration dates in a safe place, so you can call creditors in case of theft or loss.
Get credit cards and business cards with your photo on them. Put passwords on accounts—use a fictitious name instead of your mother's maiden name.
Check your credit card bills. Don't just pay your bill without first checking exactly what's on it. Be sure to save your receipts so you can track everything.

Checking Account Safety Tips

Your credit union’s checks have built-in security coding. Order checks through them instead of mail order or online companies for extra identity protection.
Don't preprint your Social Security number, your driver’s license number, or your phone number on checks. That gives anyone who receives or handles your checks all the personal information needed to defraud you.
Choose a Personal Identification Number (PIN) for your ATM, debit card or online access, and memorize it. Make sure your PINs are different from your address, telephone number, social security number, or any other personal information.
Make sure no one is looking over your shoulder when you use an ATM or phone card.
Compare your ATM receipts and cashed checks with your periodic financial statements. Check for unauthorized transfers or charges.
Carefully and promptly review all creditcard and bank statements for unauthorized activity, and report anything suspicious.
Be vigilant about protecting your personal information — even at home. When it comes to safeguarding your identity, you can never be too careful. Keep all of your personal information — your Social Security number, account numbers and passwords — in a safe place that only you have access to. When discarding documents, shred anything that contains your personal information.

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