Identity Theft:
Prevention Strategies
- Be extremely cautious when handling and disclosing the
following information: social security number, mother's maiden
name, date of birth, past addresses, drivers license number,
and, of course, bank and credit account numbers.
- Invest in a personal shredder.
This is your first line of
defense. Shred bank and credit card statements, cancelled
checks, pre-approved credit card offers, etc. before disposal.
A cross cut shredder offers added security because it makes it
harder to reconstruct the document.
- Place garbage out on the morning of pickup rather than the
night before. This gives dumpster divers less opportunity to
go through your garbage.
- Consider listing only your name and phone number in the
telephone book, or get an unlisted and unpublished number.
If
you have a personal or business listing, avoid the use
of titles, such as "Dr.," or "Attorney," or any other signs
announcing you're affluent.
- Be aware of other directories in which you may be listed.
In addition to the telephone directory (item # 4), criminals
have been known to find victims in "Who's Who" and other
publications.
- Install a residential mailbox with a locking mechanism
or
purchase a door with a mail slot.
- Don't leave outgoing checks or paid bills in your
residential mailbox. Take your mail to the post office or drop
it in a U.S. Postal Service mailbox. Also, consider paying
bills electronically; a lot of financial institutions now offer
this option.
- Opt out of pre-approved credit card offers by calling (888)
5OPTOUT, or (888) 567-8688. Your request covers all three
major credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax).
- When you order new checks, do not have them sent to your
residence. Pick them up at the bank instead. Or, have them
delivered to you by registered mail -- so you have to sign for
them personally.
- Call your credit card company if your card has expired
and
you have not yet received a replacement.
These are just a few of the safeguards outlined
in
"Johnny May's Guide to
Preventing Identity Theft"
But what if you are already a victim?
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