How to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft
identIdentity theft is one of the most common types of crime and one of the most difficult to rectify. More than 15 million people in the U.S. fall victims to the crime every year, but the number is likely greater since many older individuals fail to report it. It doesn’t just happen to adults. More than 1 million child identity theft cases were reported in 2020.
Shredding
Invest in a good quality shredder able to make confetti-sized pieces of out of paper documents, CDs and credit/debit cards. Not all identity theft is digital. Thieves will even go through your trash to obtain information. Simply tearing up documents isn’t enough.
Social Security Number
If an identity thief has access to your Social Security number, he/she can gain access to your bank accounts and credit report. Don’t carry your Social Security card with you or health insurance cards that contain your personal numbers.
Identity thieves also gain personal and financial information by stealing your mail. Collect your mail as soon as possible after it’s delivered and don’t mail bill payments from home. Solvents are routinely used to erase the payee’s name. Send mail from the post office or rent a post office box.
Paper Trail
Don’t leave gas station, credit card or ATM receipts behind. Bring them home to shred.
Credit/Debit Cards
Know where your credit/debit cards are at all times and never let them out of your sight. Keep in mind that gas stations are prime locations for thieves to install credit card skimmers, but they can appear anywhere. Consider paying in cash if you suspect a skimmer. Review the charges on your monthly statements.
Don’t Reveal Private Information
Identity thieves can contact you by phone, text or email. Never reveal your Social Security number, bank information or other sensitive data. Hang up the phone and don’t respond to emails or text messages. If you think the request is legitimate, call the company or agency directly.
Monitor Credit Reports
You can obtain one free copy of your credit report each year from each of the three agencies at AnnualCreditReport.com, a federally authorized site that’s safe to use. Make sure the website address has no spelling errors. Check it for incorrect information and contact the appropriate agency to have it corrected.
Reporting
If you think you’ve been the victim of identity theft, freeze your accounts at the three credit reporting bureaus. Notify your bank and companies with which you regularly conduct business. Report it to the state’s Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission.
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