To help protect yourself from identity theft you may want to consider taking the following measures:
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Don't give out any
personal information over the Internet, by phone or
by mail. |
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Beware of promotional scams that request personal information or
financial account numbers. Consider
using a bookmark or typing in the actual address of any website in which you are providing personal
information - not by an e-mail link. |
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Memorize your Social
Security number and do not carry your card. Only
give your Social Security number
when it is absolutely necessary. |
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Carry only the
identification and credit/debit cards that you need. |
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Report lost or stolen credit cards to the issuer
immediately. |
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Review your consumer credit reports annually. Cancel
unused credit cards. |
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Secure all your
personal information in your home (i.e. SS number,
passwords, birth date, financial records,
tax returns, and bank account numbers). |
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Place passwords on
your credit cards, bank and phone accounts. Avoid
using information that is easily
accessible for passwords, such as, your mother's
maiden name or your birth date. |
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Use a firewall program
and virus protected software on your computer. |
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Ask about information security procedures at such places as your
workplace, doctor's office or other
businesses that collect personal identifying information. |
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Cross-shred charge
receipts, ATM receipts, copies of credit
applications, insurance forms, checks, bank
statements, physician statements and credit offers
you get in the mail. |
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Don't put mail in an
unsecured mailbox. Use a post office collection box
or your local post office. Have
check orders delivered to your bank rather than your
home. Have your mail held by the U.S. Postal Service
if
you are going out of town. |
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Match credit cards
receipts against monthly bills and check financial
statements for accuracy. Follow up
with creditors if your bills do not arrive on time. |
For additional information please check the Federal Trade
Commissions Website a
www.ftc.gov.