Protect Your Identity, Part 3: Guard Your Cards

Now that you have protected your social security number and documents, its time to be reminded about protecting your actual credit cards, including PINs.

It is important to remember that you should make photocopies of all important documents.  This includes credit cards, driver's license, social security card, investments, passport, debit cards, and bank accounts.  Write down the customer service contact phone numbers and expiration dates. Also, remember to photocopy the back of the cards, which may have emergency contact information or codes you may need.  Now, put these copies in a fire-proof lock box or filing cabinet.  If any of these documents or cards are stolen, you will be able to act quickly to cancel them and have the information necessary to get them replaced in a timely manner.  In addition, if you were to be faced with a robbery, you will be less likely to over react our of concern for loosing these items, and instead can remember that no physical possession is more important than your own personal safety.

In regards to your credit or debit cards, it is also  essential to safeguard your Personal Identification Numbers (PIN).  Be aware of camera phones when using your credit cards or entering a PIN.  These devices can be used to record your PIN inconspicuously.  Block the keypad from view with your body or palm as you enter your number.  Also, limit how often you use your PIN and make it available to others.  If you can use your bankcard as a credit card instead of a debit card, it will eliminate the risk of entering the PIN number in public and having it stored in a company's computer.

Until next time...Be Safe!

Protect Your Identity, Part 2: Credit and Documents

Now that you've taken some steps to safeguard your Social Security Number, it's time to look a little closer at other sources that a criminal could exploit to obtain your personal information.  We will deal with some of the more high-tech concerns in a later article, but for now we want to look at old-fashioned paper trails.

It may seem like common sense, but few people take the time to shred their personal documents.  Many of these documents include old account statements and credit card offers.  An identity thief can use credit card offers to open new accounts in your name.  Always take your receipts from a purchase made with a credit card home to be shred.  Don't discard them at the store where anyone has access to them.  Most stores now use receipts that do not list all of your credit card number, but modern technology and human error can still produce receipts that do.  I have personally seen this happen on three occasions in the past year.  When you shred your documents, it is best to use a cross shredder.  These make it nearly impossible to reassemble your information and a would-be identity thief will look for an easy, quicker target.

While we are discussing account numbers, it is important also to safeguard your credit.  Review your account statements as soon as you receive them.  This includes phone records, cell phone bills, and credit card statements.  It is now possible to only receive these electronically, as well.  This will prevent an identity thief from taking them from your mailbox or trash (though you should have shred them, and we will discuss mailbox security in another article).  If you receive electronic statements, you must take steps to protect your computer's security, including email accounts which may not be stored on your computer and can be accessed from anywhere in the world.  This is more of a "high tech" concern, which will will also discuss in an upcoming article.

If you do receive paper statements, and a bill doesn't arrive on time, contact the company.  It may be that an identity thief has intercepted a statement to disguise illegal use.  Review your  credit report regularly.  Check for discrepancies such as creditors whith who you haven't spoken and accounts you don't recognize.  Federal law permits you to receive one free copy of your credit repoft from each of the three major credit bureaus annually.  This allos you to spread out your request to each agency so that you can review your credit once every four months. 

Cancel credit cards you haven't used in the past six-months.  Open credit is a target easily identified by criminals who have stolen credit reports.

You may order your free consumer credit report from each of the following:

Online at www.annualcreditreport.com

By Phone at 1-877-322-8228

Or By Mail At:

TransUnion Fraud Assistance Department
PO Box 6790, Fullerton CA 92834

Equifax Security Freeze
PO Box 105788, Atlanta GA 30348

Experian Security Freeze
PO Box 9554, Allen TX 75013

Until Next Time...Be Safe!

Protect Your Identity

Identity theft is among the most rapidly expanding consumer scams in our country.  The U.S. Department of Justice estimates that one person per minute has their identity stolen in the United States alone, and this can range from the low-tech pickpocket to high-tech computer scams and organized criminal activity.  The most common motivation of identity theft is to obtain credit in your name or access to your bank accounts.  In general, the criminal is looking to obtain your social security number, date of birth, mother's maiden name, and other commonly used information.  With this information they seek to penetrate your bank account or open credit lines.  How can you defend yourself?  In the next several articles we will offer some advice on how to protect and secure your personal information.

Protect your Social Security Number. 

First, don't carry your social security card in your wallet or purse.  Not only is it work to have it replaced if lost or stolen, but it gives a would-be identity thief direct access to your number.  Instead, keep it secured at home where you can take it out only when needed. 

Second, don't include your social security number on your personal checks or driver's license.  Rarely, would this information be needed on these items, and you cannot control who will see your checks once they are written.

Third, if a company wants to you use your social security number for an account number, request to have the account number changed.  This is true also for states which may use the social security number for a driver's license.  We suggest writing down this account number and keeping it secure, since when asked for your social security number as an account, you will have changed it.

Fourth, if you have to carry your social security card for a special meeting, keep it separate from your wallet or purse.

Fifth, never send your social security number through electronic means or write it on a postcard as a means of communication.

Many forms ask for your social security number because it is an effective way for creditors to track down people who become delinquent.  However, you have the right to refuse to give this personal information. For more information we suggest you consult the Social Security Administration at: www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/.


Until next time...Be Safe