Identity Theft - Securing Your Personal Information

In no particular order, here are some steps that you should take to secure your personal information from identity thieves:

1. Order and review your credit reports from all three credit reporting agencies annually.
2. Use passwords on bank accounts, debit cards, and credit cards.
3. Minimize the number of credit cards, debit cards, and identification cards that you carry.
4. Absolutely do not carry your social security card or birth certificate.
5. Do not include your social security number on your checks.
6. Change your driver's license number to something other than your social security number.
7. Shred all documents with personal information on them when discarding.
8. If using a debit/credit card at a restaurant, pay at the counter.
9. Review bank and credit card statements when received.
10. Follow up delayed statements or new accounts requests that you did not make.
11. Never leave receipts at ATMS, cash registers, or gasoline pumps.
12. Investigate any credit cards that expire without a new card issued.
13. If a financial institution contacts you regarding unusual activity, do not give any information and call back at the phone number on the back of the card in question.
14. Get insurance against identity theft.
15. Don't leave purses, wallets, debit cards, or credit cards unattended, even in your car (even if hidden).
16. Don't let others see or hear you enter passwords.
17. Mail payments and documents with personal information from a post office mailbox.  Never use your home mailbox.
18. Have mail and newspapers held if you are going out of town.
19. Do not write your social security number or account numbers on checks or envelopes.
20. Stop pre-approved credit card offers (1.888.5OPTOUT).

Using passwords effectively is an essential component of securing your identity.  Here are some guidelines for your passwords:

1. Avoid easily deciphered passwords - birthdays, anniversaries, names of children, spouses, or pets, last 4 digits of your social security number.
2. More characters is better.
3. Use alpha-numeric.
4. Use upper and lower case letters.
5. Use symbols if possible.
6. Change passwords periodically.
7. Do not tape login information or passwords to your desk or computer.
8. Do not carry passwords in your purse or wallet.
9. Do not allow Windows to memorize your password on internet sites.
10. Do not use the same password and/or login information for multiple accounts.
11. Maintain your login information and passwords on a password protected excel file.

Be careful out there.