Deterring Identity Theft
Identity theft occurs when a person’s personal information (name, address, bank account number, credit card number, telephone number) is stolen and used to commit fraud or other crimes. Identity theft can have a high cost in money lost and time spent, and can destroy your credit and good name. Here are a few ways to avoid it happening to you:
SHRED – financial documents and paperwork with personal information before discarding them.
PROTECT – your Social Security number. Don’t carry your Social Security card with you. Ask to use
another identifier when filling out forms.
DON’T GIVE OUT – personal information over the phone, through the mail or over the internet UNLESS
you know who you are dealing with.
NEVER CLICK – on links in unsolicited emails. Hover your curser over the link; the pop-up box should
confirm the link’s address, if it doesn’t, it may be a phishing attempt. Use anti-virus and
anti-spyware on your computer.
DON’T USE – an obvious password that includes personal information like birth dates, names and
addresses.
KEEP – your personal information in a secure place at home.
Stay safe.