Identity Theft Protection

Whether you’re looking to keep tabs yourself, or looking for a provider of services to protect your identity, the key is to review all your options and make a decision that fits into your life style.

Below is our 23 Tips to Protect Your Identity list as well as a link to download a version to your computer. Take the few minutes to read as it could wind up saving you thousands of dollars.

1.) Lock up your social security card, birth certificate, passport, and
other personal IDs that contain sensitive information. Do not carry these
items with you (except when absolutely necessary, such as to travel to a
foreign country) or keep them in areas accessible to workers in your
house.

2.) Do not give out your social security number (SSN) unless
absolutely necessary. Ask for a different identifying number if the SSN is
being used (such as for a state driver’s license).

3.) Destroy all documents containing personally identifying
information when you dispose of them. In particular, make sure to
destroy bank and credit card statements, expired credit cards, old tax
documents, health insurance forms, medical records, and utility bills. If
you use a shredder, use one that cross shreds for the best destruction.

4.)) Shred all credit card and mortgage offers. ID thieves can use
them to apply for credit in your name.

5.) Limit the number of credit cards you have and cancel all card
accounts that you do not currently use. The fewer cards you have, the
easier it is to keep track of them.

6.) Check credit card and bank statements each month as soon as
they arrive or are available online. This is the best way to detect any
unauthorized use, plus most credit card companies and financial
institutions only allow you to challenge mistakes for a set period of time,
typically 60 days. Also, ask credit card companies not to send you
“convenience” checks that could easily be stolen.

7.) Limit use of debit cards attached to your bank accounts. For
example, do not use them at restaurants (or anywhere else that they
leave your sight) or for online transactions. Federal law, bank policies,
and debit card issuers generally protect against most debit card losses,
but the extent of the protection varies. And, as a practical matter, your
bank account could be emptied before you can stop unauthorized
transactions, leaving you with no cash at least for a period of time.

8.) Pick up new checks at the bank instead of having them sent to
your mailbox.

9.) Keep an eye on your mail. Deposit outgoing mail in post office
collection boxes, don’t put it in your home mailbox if it is unsecured, and
promptly remove delivered mail. Stop mail delivery when you go on
vacation.

10.) Check your credit report regularly to look for unauthorized credit
applications. The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA),
the same law that requires employers to properly dispose of consumer
reports created by third parties, gives every person a free annual credit
report.

11.) Do not respond to unsolicited email asking for personal
information – so-called “phishing” and “pharming” schemes. Thieves
often will send out emails that appear to be from legitimate entities, such
as banks, asking you to provide personal information, account
information, and passwords. Some even direct you to provide the info on
“secure” fake Web sites that look authentic, using corporate logos, etc.
As a practical note, your bank or credit card issuer typically will not send
out emails to ask for this type of information. If you really think it is
from your bank, call them directly, but do not use a number provided on a
suspicious email.

12.) Protect your home computer. Use, and update regularly, virus
and firewall protections to prevent outside access to your computer.
Also, use “strong” passwords to protect your financial and other personal
information that mix letters and numbers. Do not use common identifiers
like your mother’s maiden name or your birth date. In addition, change
passwords regularly for added protection and keep any written record of
your passwords in a secure place, not on your computer.

13.) Destroy all personal and financial information on your computers
before discarding or giving them away. Simply deleting files is not
enough. You need to erase the files using special data destruction
programs.

14.) Immediately report any losses of personal identification and
credit cards. For example, close credit card accounts and contact your
state’s drivers’ license agency to flag your file so no one else can apply
for a driver’s license in your name.

15.) Avoid a paper trail – Never leave ATM, credit card or gas station receipts behind.

16.) Never reveal your bank account, credit card, mother’s maiden name or social insurance
number over the phone (unless dealing with a trusted business or organization).

17.) When creating passwords or PINs, do not use digits of your social insurance number,
mother’s maiden name, your birthdate, any part of your name.

18.) Watch your credit card expiry dates, if you don’t receive a replacement card prior to the
date – contact the issuer.

19.) Be aware and note when your monthly financial statements arrive in the mail. Notify your
financial institutions when they don’t arrive when expected.

20.) Keep a list of all your financial accounts such as account numbers, expiry dates, and
customer help telephone numbers.

21.) Consider making your telephone number unlisted or listed without your address.

22.) Sign all new credit cards immediately to prevent someone else from doing so.

23.) Beware of mail or telephone contacts informing you of prizes and awards – especially if
they ask for personal or financial account information.

Click to download this list: 23 Identity Protection Tips

We recommend you print this tip sheet out and checkmark your progress. If you’re looking for a service to provide this to you, we proudly recommend Lifelock: