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Preventing Identity Theft
- Contact the three credit bureaus, and ask for copies of your credit report. You can do this three times a year, without impacting your credit rating. You have the option of placing a security alert on your credit. This means that if anyone applies for any credit in your name, the company must personally contact you to get permission before activating the credit. This is primarily used for victims of fraud. This could slow down your ability to get credit when you apply for credit yourself.
- Call 1-888-5optout to cancel preapproved credit cards from showing up in the mail. This is good for two years.
- Never give out personal information, including Social Security number, mother's maiden name, etc., unless it's absolutely necessary and you know who you're giving it to and why.
- Pay attention to your billing cycles. If credit card
bills don't arrive on time, follow up with creditors.
Someone may have diverted your mail.
- If you receive an e-mail request that appears to be from your Internet Service
Provider (ISP) stating that your "account information needs to be updated" or that
"the credit card you signed up with is invalid or expired and the information needs
to be reentered to keep your account active," do not respond without checking
with your ISP first. The FTC says this may be a scam.
- Guard your mail from theft. Don't leave outgoing
mail in your mailbox.
- Tear or shred charge receipts, copies of credit
applications, insurance forms, bank checks and
statements.
- Don't carry your Social Security card. Leave it and
other identification information in a safe place at
home.
More Info
Did You Know? / How Thieves Do It / If You're A Victim
U.S. Govt. Identity Theft Website
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