• Minimize the amount of personal financial information you carry. Memorize passwords and PIN numbers instead of carrying them with you.
  
  
• Keep personal financial information in a secure place in your home. Shred identifying information before throwing it away.
• Do not give sensitive information to unsolicited callers. Remember that most legitimate businesses will not ask for your Social Security or bank account numbers.
  
  
• Shield your hand when entering your PIN at a bank ATM or when making long distance calls with a calling card. Take your credit card receipts and ATM slips. Shred them before throwing them away.
  
  
• Pick up new checks or a new or reissued credit card at your bank rather than having them delivered to your home. Do not have your driver's license number or social security number printed on your checks.
  
  
• If your bank or credit card statement does not arrive on time, call the issuer to make sure they are being sent to the proper address. Also contact the Post Office to see if a change of address has been filed in your name.
  
  

Who to contact if you become a victim:

Contact a credit bureau immediately to notify them that your information has been compromised. Through any of the agencies listed below you can set up alerts and make sure that no one uses your information to set up any unauthorized accounts. Also, each agency is required to inform the other two of your situation, so you will only have to contact one.


EXPERIAN
P. O. Box 2104
Allen, TX 75013-2104
www.experian.com
(888) 397-3742

EQUIFAX
P. O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
www.equifax.com
(800) 685-1111 (order report)
(800) 525-6285 (report fraud)

TRANS UNION P .O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19022-2000
www.transunion.com
(800) 888-4213 (request report)
(800) 680-7289 (report fraud)


DATABASE theft and hacking

Keep your personal financial information off corporate marketing and billing databases as much as possible to reduce the chance that your information will be hacked or stolen. To be removed from many mailing lists for up to five years, sign up online at www.the-dma.org, or write to: Direct Marketing Association, Mail Preference Service , P. O. Box 643 , Carmel, NY 10512 Limit the number of pre-approved credit offers you receive by removing your name from the marketing lists of the three credit reporting bureaus. Call 888-5OPT-OUT (888) 567-8688. If any of your credit card issuers send random-issue convenience checks, request in writing to be removed from that mailing list. Ask your bank about its privacy and information policies. Find out under what circumstances your bank may provide your account information to a third party. Request that you be notified in advance and ask if it is possible to opt out of this practice.


SOCIAL SECURITY information

Do not carry your Social Security card with you unless you need it for a job application. Release your Social Security number only when absolutely necessary or when required by law. Ask the requestor if another identification number can be used instead. Never print your Social Security number on your checks. If your workplace displays your Social Security number on a timecard or other place open to public view, ask to have this procedure changed. If you are over age 25, you should receive a Social Security statement by mail each year. Check your statement thoroughly and report any inaccuracies to the Social Security Administration. You can order a copy of your statement by calling (800) 772-1213 or by accessing the Social Security Web site at www.ssa.gov.


CREDIT Reports

Order a copy of your credit report at least once a year from each of the three credit bureaus listed in this brochure to check for inaccuracies or fraudulent use of accounts. Even if you have not been the victim of identity theft, consider asking the credit bureaus to place a security alert on your account as a protective measure. This alert instructs creditors to call you personally to verify applicant information. While this will mean that you can no longer get instant credit, such as on-site approval for store charge cards, it will also stop others from getting credit in your name. Be sure to ask how long the alert will be in effect and how to extend it if necessary.


CREDIT / ATM / DEBIT CARDS

Reduce the number of credit cards you use and only carry the cards that you intend to use. Use credit cards that have your photo on them. This makes it more difficult for an imposter to use stolen cards at a store. If you receive an offer for a pre-approved credit card or loan but aren't interested, shred the application form before throwing it away.


BANK ACCOUNTS and billing statements

Check your bank account and credit billing statements carefully each month for unauthorized activity. If you receive a credit card in the mail that you did not request, call the issuer to find out why it was sent to you. If it was requested by someone else in your name, cancel it immediately. When creating a password for an ATM card, long distance account, credit card, or other form of credit, do not use common numbers such as your birth date or the last four digits of your Social Security number. Avoid using names, such as your mother's maiden name or your birthplace, that are likely to appear in public records accessible to thieves.


COMPUTER and internet security

If you store financial records on your computer, use passwords and install an electronic firewall to keep burglars and Internet hackers from accessing your computer. Do not give your credit card number or other financial information over the Internet unless you are certain you have a secure server connection. These usually include an "s" after the "http" web address and a icon of a "closed lock" or "key" at the bottom of the screen. Save the transaction number or confirmation number provided to you by the business and make a note of the date/time of the transaction and what you ordered. Review the privacy policy of any on-line companies you deal with request that they not share your financial information.

Telemarketing No Call Lists
Federal No Call List (888) 382-1222 toll free www.donotcall.gov



Consumer Complaints
Federal Trade Commission
www.consumer.gov/idtheft/