Identity thieves have been known to acquire personal identification information by mail theft, sifting through garbage dumpsters, and rifling business databases, the Internet, and ATMs. In 1996 and 1997, identity crime was the top complaint reported to the Privacy Rights Clearing House, and experts estimate losses for the crime as high as $90 million annually.
How can you protect yourself from identity theft? What do you do if you think you're a victim? Consider the following tips before you drop an envelope in the mail.
Make like Oliver North. Shred, shred, shred! This means always take your credit card, debit card, and ATM receipts with you. Also shred preapproved credit applications, bills, and other financial information you don't want before you toss them.
Mail strategically. Do not leave bill-payment envelopes in your mailbox for the postal carrier to pick up. Try to get in the habit of dropping your mail in the US Postal blue boxes before the last pick-up time.
Check your bills. Carefully review your credit card statements, phone and utility bills, and cancelled checks for unauthorized use, as soon as you receive them.
Don't give away the farm. Only carry your Social Security card, birth certificate, passport, or more than two credit cards if it is absolutely necessary.
Secure your records. Keep a list of all your bank accounts, credit cards, account numbers, expiration dates, and customer service and fraud department telephone numbers in a secure place, so you can easily find them in the event the information is stolen.
Check the record. Order your credit report each year from each of the three major credit reporting agencies -- Experian 800-682-7654, Equifax 800-685-1111, and Trans Union 800-888-4213. Check it carefully for accuracy and signs of fraud. Order your Social Security Earnings and Benefits statement once a year to ensure that no one is using your Social Security number for employment -- Social Security Administration 800-772-1203.
It's your Social Security number! Don't give out your Social Security number. It's only necessary for items such as tax forms, employment records, banking, stock, and property transactions. Become anonymous. Consider not listing your residence telephone number in the telephone book, or consider omitting your address from the listing.
Pick good passwords. When creating passwords and personal identification numbers, do not use anything that's easy to figure out. Pet names, part of your Social Security number, your address, etc., are all off limits. Change your passwords and PINs regularly.
Stop shoulder surfers. Shield the keypad when punching in your PIN at an ATM or when placing long distance phone calls with your phone card.
