Avoiding Identity Theft Identity theft occurs when someone uses
your name, credit card number, Social Security number, or other identifying information
to commit fraud. Victims of this crime can spend years cleaning up the mess that
criminals have made of their good name and credit record. In the mean time, you
can be denied loans, lose job opportunities, and even get arrested for crimes
you didn't commit. The best way to avoid identity theft is to limit access to
your personal information. Here are some steps you can take: - Remove
your Social Security number from public documents, such as personal checks, paychecks,
and driver licenses.
- Shred all paperwork that you discard containing
identifying information (SSN, DOB, account numbers, etc.). Also shred all credit
card offers that come in the mail. Use a cross-cut shredder rather than a strip
shredder.
- Order a copy of your credit report once a year by calling
877-322-8228, or order it online at www.annualcreditreport.com.
This site allows you to request a free credit report once every 12 months from
each of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian
and TransUnion. Be sure that all accounts and inquiries on your credit report
are valid.
- Stop the credit bureaus from sharing your information with
marketers by contacting Equifax (www.equifax.com),
Experian(www.experian.com), and TransUnion
(www.transunion.com).
- Stop all
pre-screened credit offers by calling 888-567-8688. This can also be done online
at www.optoutprescreen.com.
- Stop
most direct mail marketing to you at www.dmaconsumers.org/cgi/offmailinglist.
- Stop
most telemarketing to you at www.dmaconsumers.org/cgi/offtelephone.
- Stop
most unsolicited commercial email at www.dmaconsumers.org/optoutform_emps.shtml.
- Stop
unsolicited offers for mortgages or refinancing by calling the Acxiom U.S. Consumer
Hotline at 877-774-2094.
- Do not provide identifying information over
the telephone or Internet unless you are sure that you can trust the other party.
For online credit card purchases, be sure that the website is secure. A secure
website has a URL that starts with https and a yellow lock in the bottom right
corner of the Internet browser.
- If your home computer is connected to
the Internet, use a firewall. Firewalls can be purchased and downloaded online
(e.g.,www.zonealarm.com).
- Wireless
networks are often not secure. Avoid conducting online financial transactions
at public access wi-fi spots.
- When disposing of a computer, delete all
files containing personal information and clear information from the hard drive.
Clearing the hard drive requires a computer program (free downloads are available
at www.wizard-industries.com/sdel.html,
www.heidi.ie/eraser/, www.codetek.com/safeshred,
www.dekorte.com/Software/OSX/Shredder/).
- Beware
of phone calls that appear to be from banks or other businesses requesting personal
information, such as SSNs, PINs, or account numbers. Do not provide any personal
information. Tell them you will call back at the number listed on your account
statement.
- Beware of emails that appear to be from businesses requesting
personal information. You may be directed to what appears to be an official company
website and asked to provide information. No legitimate business will ask for
personal information in this manner.
- Never view, open or execute email
attachments unless you know the purpose of the attachment and who it is from.
- Beware
of unsolicited email offers that sound too good to be true (e.g., millions of
unclaimed dollars in a Nigerian bank account).
- Verify all the information
in your monthly credit card statements. Some thieves enter fraudulent charges
in small dollar amounts hoping they will go undetected.
- Watch for shoulder
surfers who steal PINs, passwords, and credit card numbers by peeking over your
shoulder while you are entering information at an ATM machine, telephone, or computer.
- If
you receive a call from a debt collector, do not assume it is a wrong number.
Get the details and request documentation of the claim to determine if your identity
has been used.
July 2005
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