Sunday, August 19, 2007

Preventing Identity Theft

Review consumer credit report annually.

Don't leave mail in mailbox overnight or on weekends.

Deposit mail in U.S. Postal Service collection boxes.

Tear up or shred unwanted documents that contain personal information.

Report lost or stolen credit cards to the issuer immediately.

Sign new credit cards immediately.

Never leave receipts behind at ATMs, on counters at financial institutions or at gasoline pumps.

Check expiration dates on credit cards and contact the issuer if you don't get a replacement before they expire. Do the same with monthly financial statements and bills.

Match credit card receipts against monthly bills and check financial statements for accuracy.

If you applied for a credit card and didn't receive it when expected, call the financial institution.

Memorize your Social Security number and passwords. Don't use your date of birth as your password and don't record passwords on papers you carry with you.

Don't carry your Social Security card or birth certificate ­ leave them in a secure location.

Don't disclose credit card or other financial account numbers on a Web site unless the site offers a secure transaction.

Beware of mail or telephone solicitations that offer prizes or awards ­ especially if the offer asks you for personal information or financial account numbers.

Watch for your monthly financial statements and bills. If you don't get them when expected, contact the sender.

No comments: