ID Theft Prevention Manual - Section III

No one living in today’s economy is totally immune from the threat of ID Theft, but there are some prudent steps one can take to diminish the chance of becoming a victim. We have outlined some protective steps below in Subsection A. We have also included in Subsection B a suggestion for electronically monitoring your credit report. This, of course, may help you limit the damage to your credit should someone begin misusing your identity because it gives you notice that something is amiss before too much time has passed. We believe the best strategy is to employ measures that are both preventative (Subsection A) and limiting (Subsection B).

A. Preventative Steps

1. Mail and Garbage.
   • The US Postal Service advises to remove mail from your mailbox as soon as you can after it is delivered. It also advises, if possible, to deposit outgoing mail in a blue postal service box rather than leaving it unprotected in your mailbox at home for pickup.
   • Shred pre-approved credit applications and other financial documents before discarding them.
   • If possible, empty your trash from your home on the day of garbage pickup, so it does not sit for days in an outside trash receptacle, which can be searched by others for personal information about you.
   • Shred all documents, which contain personal information on them before putting them in the garbage.
   


2. Telephone and Internet.
   • Never give personal or financial information over the telephone or the Internet unless you initiated the contact or are sure of the identity of the person with whom you are speaking. Many scam artists call pretending to be someone they are not in an effort to obtain your personal information.
   • Don't disclose credit card or other financial account numbers on an Internet Web site unless the site offers, "secure transactions", otherwise such communications can be intercepted.


3. Bank Accounts.
   • On accounts with passwords, choose passwords, which are not obvious choices to someone trying to access your account. For instance, do not use your birth date or mother’s maiden name. It is best, if possible to use a mixture of letters and numbers.
   • Never leave transaction receipts at ATM machines, or in the trash nearby, on counters at financial institutions, or at gasoline pumps.
   • Watch for your monthly financial statements and bills. If you don't get them when they normally arrive contact the bank or creditor.
   • Put your work phone number on your checks instead of your home number.
   • If you have a PO Box use that address instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box use your work address if possible.
   • Do not have your Social Security number printed on your checks you can add it if it is necessary but if you have it printed anyone can get it.
   • The next time you order checks have only your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them (e.g. "J.A. Smith", instead of "James A. Smith"). That way if someone steals your checkbook they will not know your full name.


4. Your Wallet or Purse.
   • Don't carry your Social Security card or birth certificate with you unless you need them that day. Keep them in a secure location like a safe deposit box.
   • Photocopy your credit cards and other important cards (like your drivers license). Copy both sides of each license, credit card, etc. That way you will know what you had in your wallet or purse and all of the account numbers and toll free phone numbers to call and cancel. IMPORTANT: Keep the photocopy in a safe place!


5. Passwords and Social Security Number.
   • Memorize your Social Security number and passwords.
   • Do not use your date of birth or mother’s maiden name as your password and don't record passwords on papers you carry with you.
   • Change your password if you think it may have been compromised.


6. Credit Cards.
   • Be aware of the expiration dates on your credit cards and contact the issuer if you don't receive a replacement card prior to the expiration date of your existing card. Not receiving a card may mean it has been intercepted in the mail.
   • When you receive a new credit card, sign the back immediately. That signature will be matched by merchants against the signature you use when making purchases. Without it, a thief may sign your name however they choose.
   • As mentioned above, photocopy both sides of the card so that you have a record of the account numbers and the toll free number to call should your card be lost or stolen.
   • If you apply for a credit card and don’t receive it as expected, call the issuing institution to insure that it has not fallen into the wrong hands.
   • Scrutinize your monthly bills for accuracy. Confirm any suspicious charges immediately. If a thief is using your card, you may be able to stop them from doing further harm.


7. Scams.
   • Beware of mail or telephone solicitations that offer prizes or awards• especially if they ask you for personal information or financial account numbers.
   • For job seekers, make sure that a purported employer is a bona fide entity before giving it any personal information. There have been many instances of bogus employers asking prospective employees for personal information which was then used for ID Theft.
   • Do not respond to incoming phone calls asking you to "confirm" your password, account number, social security number or other personal information. Never give such information to anyone unless you know his or her identity.
   • "Nigerian" scams. If someone contacts you to help them move money from their foreign bank account to the US, you are probably the target of what is called the "Nigerian Scam". Have nothing to do with such offers.
   • Sign up rosters for school enrollment often ask for social security numbers. Do not give include your number. Rather, go to the school and give it to them in person so others cannot view it.
   • If you receive emails offering you a "free credit report", make sure that the sender is a reputable agency. Check with the Better Business Bureau, and also check to see if the return email address really belongs to the agency. It is best also to call the agency to make sure they are legitimate.
   • Beware of emails, which purport to be from legitimate companies and ask you to "confirm" information on your account, such as date of birth, social security number, or mother’s maiden name. Legitimate companies will not seek such information in an unsolicited email.
   It is impossible to list all the scams currently being perpetrated on the public. Every day there are new ones. If you would like to keep abreast of the latest ploys, one source for information is the "Scambusters" free report on Internet scams. See http://www.scambusters.org/

B. Limiting the Damage—Credit Monitoring Services

The FTC estimated that during the year 2000, the average time it took for a person to discover that he or she was the victim of ID Theft was 14 months. That is a lot longer than it takes for significant damage to happen to one’s financial life. We strongly encourage the use of "credit monitoring services." Such services typically cost about $70-$90 per year and will send you email notifications whenever your credit report is accessed or changes to your credit report occur. That way, you can immediately tell if wrongdoing is afoot and act to prevent it. Compare credit monitoring services through TheCreditProtector.com.