There are several ways you can help prevent fraud and identity theft.
· Destroy private records and statements. Tear up or shred credit card statements, solicitations and other private documents that contain private financial information. Any information you keep, be sure to keep in a secure place.
· Secure your mail. Empty your mailbox quickly, or get a PO box so criminals don't have a chance to steal credit card pitches. Never mail outgoing bill payments and checks from home. They can be stolen from your mailbox and the payee's name erased with solvents. Mail them from the post office or another secure location.
· Safeguard your Social Security Number. Never carry your card with you, or any other card that may have your number, like a health insurance card. And don't put your number on your checks. It's the primary target for identity thieves because it gives them access to your credit report and bank accounts.
· Don't leave a paper trail. Never leave ATM, credit card or gas station receipts behind.
· Never let your credit card out of your sight. Worried about credit card skimming? Always keep an eye on your card, or, when that's not possible, pay with cash.
· Know who you're dealing with. Whenever anyone contacts you asking for private identity or financial information, make no response other than to find out who they are, what company they represent and the reason for the call. If you think the request is legitimate, contact the company yourself and confirm what you were told before revealing any of your personal data.
· Take your name off marketers' hit lists. In addition to the national "Do-Not-Call registry 1-888-832-1222, you can also cut down on junk mail and opt out of credit card solicitations by calling 1-888-5-OPT OUT.
· Be more defensive with personal information. Ask Sales people and others if information such as a Social Security or driver's license number is absolutely necessary. Ask anyone who does require your Social Security number - for instance, your insurance company - what their privacy policy is and whether you can arrange for the organization not to share you information with anyone else.
· Review your credit card statements carefully. Make sure you recognize the merchants, locations and purchases listed before paying the bill. If you don't need or use department-store or bank-issued cards, consider closing the accounts.
· Guard your information. Do not give out your account numbers, login information or passwords for online transactions to others.
· Know your delivery dates. Know when your account and bank statements come to you by mail, and contact the account holders or banks when you do not receive them by the usual dates.
· Beware of unencrypted websites. Make sure you do not send your credit card information for online purchases through websites that are not secured & encrypted, or by mail.
· Watch your ATM card. Be aware of those behind you when using the ATM machine; guard viewing access to your pin entry.
· Don't fall for telephone solicitations. Do not give your credit card, Social Security number or other personal information to telephone solicitors. If you are interested in the product, research the company and it's product first and call them back to order if legitimate. Do not give any personal information over the phone in exchange for the promise of "winning" anything.
· Email solicitations. If you receive an email directing you to the website of a company with which to do business, requesting for you to provide account numbers or other private information, do not provide the information. Contact the company directly to determine the legitimacy of such a request.
· Be careful where you write your information down. Do not write account information or pin numbers on cards or places whereby a thief may be able to access both credit cards and pin numbers in the same theft - for example do not write your pin number on the backs of your credit or ATM cards.
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