How To Prevent It

In many cases involving identity theft, months pass before the victim is aware of any wrongdoing. Simply monitoring your credit card and account statements on a weekly basis can greatly decrease your identity theft risk. In fact, the majority of identity theft crimes are self-detected. And according to a recent report by the Better Business Bureau, accessing accounts online provides earlier identity theft detection compared to monitoring monthly paper statements and bills.

Use credit and debit cards safely

• Report lost or stolen credit cards immediately.
• Cancel all inactive credit card accounts.
• When using your credit card do not volunteer any personal information.
• If you’ve applied for a credit card and have not received the card in a timely manner, immediately notify the appropriate financial institution.
• Closely monitor the expiration dates on your credit cards. Contact the credit issuer if the replacement card is not received prior to your credit card’s expiration date.
• Sign all new credit cards upon receipt.
• Match your credit card receipts against monthly bills to make sure there are no unauthorized charges.

Safeguard personal info

Request electronic versions of bills, statements, and checks instead of paper.

Sign up for direct deposit of payroll to prevent paper checks from ending up in the wrong hands.

Shred all personal and financial information such as bills, bank statements, ATM receipts, and credit card offers before you discard them.

Keep your personal documentation (e.g. birth certificate, Social Security card, etc.) and your bank and credit card records in a secure place.

Limit the personal information that you carry in your wallet or purse.

Do not give your Social Security number, credit card number, or any bank account details over the phone unless you have initiated the call and know that the business that you are dealing with is reputable.

Do not disclose bank account numbers, credit card account numbers, and other personal financial data on any Web site or online service location, unless you receive a secured authentication key from your provider.

Do not allow mail to go uncollected. Retrieve it promptly.

Memorize your numbers and/or passwords. Do not write your Social Security number or passwords on paper and store them in your wallet or purse.

Avoid leaving envelopes containing your credit card payments or checks in your home mailbox for postal carrier pickup.

Prior to discarding a computer, make sure all personal information is deleted from its hard drive.

Take receipts at ATMs, bank counters, or unattended gasoline pumps with you.

Use passwords on your credit cards, bank accounts, and phone cards.

Review your credit reports annually.

Be aware of your surroundings when entering your Personal Identification Number (PIN) at an ATM.

Frequently monitor your account activity, such as balances and withdrawals.