1. Destroy private records and statements. Tear up — or, if you prefer, shred — credit card statements, solicitations and other documents that contain private financial information. I prefer a cross-cut shredder (www.fellowes.com) that can shred credit cards and computer CD’s. Fellowes Powershred SB-85C fits the bill for an office willing to pay $399. Smaller personal ones for $39 are available, that can handle credit cards and a few sheets of paper at a time.
2. Secure your mail. Empty your mailbox quickly, lock it or get a P.O. box so criminals don’t have a chance to snatch 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.
3. 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. (For more on protecting your Social Security number, see “Safeguard your Social Security number.”)
4. Don’t leave a paper trail. Never leave ATM, credit card or gas station receipts behind. Be careful at ATM’s and using Phone Cards. “Shoulder Surfers” can get your “Pin Number” and get access to your accounts.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Take your name off marketers’ hit lists. In addition to the national Do-Not-Call registry (1-888-382-1222), you can also cut down on junk mail and opt out of credit card solicitations.
8. Be more defensive with personal information. Ask salespeople 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 your information with anyone else.
9. Monitor your credit report. Obtain and thoroughly review your credit report (now available for free at Annualcreditreport.com or by calling 877-322-8228) at least once a year to look for suspicious activity. If you spot something, alert your card company or the creditor immediately. You may also want to subscribe to a credit protection service, like Experian’s CreditCheck, which alerts you any time a change takes place with your credit report.
10. 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 credit cards, consider closing the accounts.
11. Sign checks with a Uniball-207 (www.uniball-na.com) so that check-washers cannot remove your check information and write one (signed by you) to themselves. Check washing is a process where checks are stolen from the mail or by other means and the ink is erased using common household products. The thieves will then rewrite the check payable to themselves, in the amount of their choosing. This uni-ball gel pen uses inks that contain color pigments, which are absorbed into a check’s paper fibers. When an individual tries to “wash” the information written on the check, the ink is in effect trapped.
12. If possible, sign up for direct deposit. Checks delivered to your home address allows mailbox thieves to steal your checks and the personal information on the check stubs.
13. Make a list of all your credit card account numbers and bank account numbers (or photocopy) with customer service phone numbers, and keep it in a safe place. (Do not keep it on the hard drive of your computer if you are connected to the Internet.)
14. Do not put checks in the mail from your home mailbox. Drop them off at a U.S. Mailbox or the U.S. Post Office. Mail theft is common. It’s easy to change the name of the recipient on the check with an acid wash.
15. When you order new credit cards in the mail, or your previous ones have expired, watch the calendar to make sure that you get the card within the appropriate time. If it is not received by a certain date, call the credit card grantor immediately and find out if the card was sent. Find out if a change of address was filed if you don’t receive the card or a billing statement.
16. Cancel all credit cards that you do not use or have not used in 6 months. Thieves use these very easily – open credit is a prime target.
17. Put passwords on all your accounts and do not use your mother’s maiden name. Make up a fictitious word. The best passwords have a number, sign and letters, i.e. 15tuck!we@
18. Get a post office box or a locked mailbox, if your mail box is unsecured.
19. Ask all financial institutions, doctors’ offices, etc., what they do with your private information and make sure that they shred it and protect your information. Tell them why.
20. Empty your wallet of all extra credit cards and social security numbers, etc. Do not carry any identifiers you do not need. Don’t carry your birth certificate, social security card, or passport, unless necessary.
21. Memorize social security numbers and passwords.
22. When a person calls you at home or at work, and you do not know this person, never give out any of your personal information. If they tell you they are a credit grantor of yours call them back at the number that you know is the true number, and ask for that party to discuss personal information. Provide only information that you believe is absolutely necessary.
23. Do not put your social security number on your checks or your credit receipts. If a business requests your social security number, give them an alternate number and tell them why. They do not need that to identify you. If a government agency requests your social security number, there must be a privacy notice accompanying the request.
24. Do not put your telephone number on your checks.
25. Get credit cards and business cards with your picture on them.
26. Do not put your credit card account number on the Internet (unless it is encrypted on a secured site.) Don’t put account numbers on the outside of envelopes, or on your checks.
27. When you are asked to identify yourself at schools, employers, or any other kind of institutional identification, ask to have an alternative to your social security number. Unfortunately, your health insurance carrier often uses your social security number as your identification number. Try to change that if you can.
28. In conjunction with a credit card sale do not put your address, telephone number, or driver’s license number on the statement.
29. Monitor all your bank statements from every credit card every month. Check to see if there is anything that you do not recognize and call the credit grantor to verify that it is truly yours.
30. Order your credit report at least twice a year (I have enclosed the addresses for you on the sample letter.) Review it carefully. If you see anything that appears fraudulent, immediately put a fraud alert on your reports by calling the numbers below.
31. Immediately correct all mistakes on your credit reports in writing. Send those letters Return Receipt Requested, and identify the problems item by item with a copy of the credit report back to the credit reporting agency. You should hear from them within 30 days.
32. Take your name off all promotional lists. Call the three credit reporting agency numbers to opt out of pre-approved offers.
