You can take many steps to protect your identity. To limit access to your personal data:
Never carry these papers or cards with you, unless needed:
Social security card
Medicare card
Health insurance card
Credit cards (make sure your credit cards are signed)
Birth certificate
Visa or passport
Military ID card
Make photocopies of these papers or cards. When not in use, put these items and copies in two separate safe places. If you need any of these items, carry them in your wallet or purse in a safe or guarded place on you.
Don't put your Social Security or driver's license number on your checks.
Do not give out personal information on the phone, through the mail or over the internet unless you have initiated the contact or know who you're dealing with.
Don't provide information that isn't required. Much of the information requested on a warranty registration form isn't necessary for the warranty. But you may want to give your phone number so you can be contacted easily about product recalls.
Ask what information about you may be tracked and used. Supermarket scan cards enable you to get special sale prices, but your purchasing history could also be sold to other companies.
Guard your financial account numbers. Only provide your credit card, charge card, debit card, calling card or bank account number if you're using that account to pay for a purchase or you're applying for credit. It isn't necessary to give that type of information for any other reason.
Pay attention to your billing cycles. Call your creditors if your bills don't arrive on time.
Deposit outgoing mail in a post office collection box or at your local post office. Don't leave mail unattended at your residence mailbox to be picked up. Promptly remove mail from your mailbox after it has been delivered.
Talk about privacy concerns with your children and other household members. Everyone should understand what information you feel is and is not appropriate to provide on the phone, while using a computer, and in other situations.
Check your credit report and social security earnings report yearly. Once a year should be enough, but you may want to check it more frequently if you believe that someone else has impersonated you in order to get credit or other benefits in your name.
Shred or tear up all unwanted mail that carries personal data such as account numbers and offers for credit cards.
If you become a victim of identity theft:
Report the crime to the police immediately. Give them as much documented evidence as possible, and get a copy of the police report. Credit card issuers, banks, and the insurance company may require you to show the report in order to verify the crime.
Then report your case to the federal authorities. The Federal Trade Commission has a special identity theft hotline to provide information to consumers and take complaints from victims by phone 1-877-382-4357.
Call the fraud units of the three major credit bureaus and ask to have a fraud alert placed on your credit report. This will let companies know that someone else has been using our information and that you wish to be informed by phone before any new credit is granted. Close the accounts and get replacement cards with new account numbers.
