Protecting Information

Protecting Your Information

There are steps you can take to fight identity theft. Your best weapon is prevention.

Don't give your personal information to anyone via the telephone, mail, or internet, unless you initiated contact
Don't carry your social security card or other important documents
Don't write your PIN number on the back of your ATM card or carry it with your bank cards
Don't leave your purse, wallet, license, social security card, or other identification documents in your vehicle
Don't have your checks pre-printed with unnecessary information (such as your license number, social security number, or phone number

Do shred unneeded or old receipts, account statements, or any documents that contain your personal information
Do store all of your personal information or important documents in a safe place, i.e. in a locked cabinet or safe
Do protect any personal information stored on your computer by password protecting files and having secure internet connections
Do protect your PIN and passwords
Do consider putting additional layers of security on your accounts, such as a verbal password required for any phone transactions done with your bank
Do protect your mail by installing a locking mailbox and/or collecting your mail in a timely manner
Do protect your mail by delivering any outgoing mail, especially bill payments containing paper checks, directly to the Post Office or an official Post Office Mailbox
Do remove your name from mailing lists for pre-approved credit offers by calling 888-5-OPT-OUT and place your phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry
Do request and review your credit report several times each year
Do monitor your bank accounts daily or weekly for any unauthorized or unusual activity
Do close all extraneous or unused credit card and bank accounts. Keep only those accounts you regularly use