| It may not be really possible to completely protect | | | | 5. Be sure that your home phone numbers are listed |
| yourself from the possibility of Identity Theft; however | | | | on national and state no call lists, these also must be |
| there are steps you can take to lessen the probability. | | | | renewed regularly. |
| Identity thieves are very clever, the scams they use | | | | 6. You can, and should, opt of receiving prescreened |
| are many, and mimic current events, charities, and | | | | offers of credit in the mail; thieves do steal mail from |
| many legitimate organizations. They are expert at | | | | residential mailboxes. They can validate those pre |
| posing as people you have been conditioned to trust | | | | approved cards and have you deep in debt very |
| such as bank officers, credit company reps, police | | | | quickly. Call: 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688). Note: |
| agencies, clergy, Internet service providers (ISPs), or | | | | You will be asked to provide your Social Security |
| even government agencies to get people to reveal | | | | number which the consumer reporting companies need |
| their Social Security number, mother's maiden name, | | | | to match you with your file. |
| account numbers, and other identifying information. | | | | 7. You should replace your standard residential mailbox |
| 1. The first step is to be aware of the need to take | | | | with a quality locking mail box; there are several |
| charge of protecting yourself from Identity Theft. If you | | | | available that are approved by USPS. Keep in mind |
| cannot for some reason perform these simple steps, | | | | that locks are really intended to keep honest people |
| you can and should contract with one of the services | | | | honest, if they really want in they still can pry them |
| that will do it for you. (Google ; Identity Theft Services) | | | | open, however the usual junkie who will steal mail |
| 2. Buy and use a quality cross cut document shredder. | | | | won't take the time and will just move on to the next |
| You should form the habit of shredding any document, | | | | non-locking mail box. Outgoing mail should be deposited |
| old credit cards or computer media that you throw in | | | | in a USPS post box, or other secure mail drop instead |
| the trash, this should also include junk mail. | | | | of being placed in your mail box for pick up. |
| 3. Form the habit of never opening any email that you | | | | 8. Do not respond to any telephone solicitations, |
| are not 100% sure of who the sender was. If you | | | | especially those that are asking for any personal |
| receive any email that purports to be from any | | | | information. A good habit to get into is never give any |
| organization asking for any personal information, you | | | | personal information over the phone unless you initiated |
| should contact that organization via phone, letter or an | | | | the contact. If anyone ever asks you for money |
| email address that you know goes to that organization. | | | | upfront to get a prize or award of any kind, contact |
| Never click the links provided in the email. If you initiate | | | | your local law enforcement agency. |
| contact with an organization, enter the URL by typing it | | | | 9. Remove your Social Security Card from your wallet |
| into your browser or using your favorites or | | | | or purse. You should also limit the credit cards you |
| bookmarks list, do not copy and paste a URL that | | | | carry. Record all of your credit card numbers and the |
| was sent to you via email. Many "phishing" email | | | | phone numbers and keep them in a secure place. The |
| messages are circulating that look very real, but they | | | | number to report a stolen or lost card is sometimes |
| are not, no reputable organization will contact you via | | | | printed on the back of your credit card. |
| email asking for personal information. | | | | 10. If you ever suspect that anyone has obtained any |
| 4. Contact each of the three (3) credit reporting | | | | of your personal information, or has ever used your |
| companies and ask that fraud alerts be placed on | | | | personal information, without your express approval. |
| your credit information. This requires that no information | | | | Contact a law enforcement agency. Many of the legal |
| be given out without your express approval each time | | | | protections you are entitled to will not take effect |
| it is requested. Frauds alerts are a no cost service; | | | | without an Identity Theft report filed with a law |
| however they are only valid for 90 days and must be | | | | enforcement agency. |
| requested every 90 days. | | | | |