TIPS TO AVOID IDENTITY THEFT
- Never give your Social Security number — or personal information of any kind — over the telephone or online unless you initiate the contact.
- Check your credit reports - Look for telltale markers of identity theft, say, an address change you didn't make or new account you didn't open. Cancel accounts you don't use or only rarely use — open credit is a prime target.
- Monitor your bank account statements frequently for suspicious activity. And don't have blank checks mailed to your home; pick them up at your bank instead.
- Be careful at ATMs. "Shoulder surfers" can get your account and PIN numbers.
- If you use a computer at home, protect yourself by installing firewall software.
- Don't write down PIN numbers, passwords and the like — commit them to memory.
- Don't leave mail in your mailbox overnight on weekends - deposit outgoing mail at the post office and promptly remove mail from your mailbox after delivery.
- Shred or tear up unwanted documents that contain personal information before discarding them in the trash.
- Every year, order and thoroughly review copies of your credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies.
- Never give personal identifying information over the telephone or the Internet unless you initiated the contact.