Identity theft has received much attention recently in the media. This is a serious and growing type of crime. Identity theft takes many forms, but basically, the thieves obtain personal information such as social security numbers, drivers license numbers, credit card numbers and even birth certificates and passports. Accounts are opened in the victim’s name for credit cards and loans with the mail diverted to a different address.

It could take months or years to learn that you are a victim of identity theft. By then  your credit history and credit rating can be ruined, and creditors could be pursuing you for debts created by others. Below are tips to protect you from becoming a victim of identity theft and tips if you are a victim.

How To Guard Against Identity Theft

1. Remove mail promptly from your mailbox. Never use your mailbox for outgoing mail. Identity thieves raid mailboxes to steal credit card offers and financial statements.
2. Guard your social security number. Do not give out personal information like PIN or credit card numbers over the phone or the internet unless you initiated the transaction. Identity thieves often call you posing as an internet provider or credit card company to gain knowledge of your accounts.
3. Be very careful with receipts. Make sure you have them when you leave the store or ATM and do not throw them into a public trash can. Thieves use the receipts to access your account.
4. Review your credit report from time to time. For a nominal fee, the credit bureau will give you a copy to review. The major credit bureaus are listed below.
5. Destroy pre-approved credit card offers before you throw them out. A home shredder is the best thing to use on financial statements, receipts and other financial documents you are discarding.
6. Account for all new checkbooks when you receive them in the mail. If any are missing, report stolen checks immediately. Keep new checks and other financial documents in a safe place.
7. Block your ATM transaction with your body. Keep the keyboard from view and prevent someone from learning your personal identification number (PIN).
8. Commit all passwords and PINs to memory. The less you have on paper the less likely it is that someone will learn these numbers.
9. Be creative when you select a password or PIN. Don’t be obvious like using the last four digits of your social security number, address, birth date or any format that could easily be decoded or guessed.
   

What To Do If You Are a Victim of Identity Theft

1. Contact the credit union and other financial institutions and credit card companies.
2. Call the three major credit bureaus to tell them your identity has been stolen. Request that a “fraud alert” be placed on your file and that no new credit be granted without your approval.
   EQUIFAX: 800-685-1111 • EXPERIAN: 800-632-1765 • TRANS UNION: 800-916-8800
3. Call the Social Security Fraud Hotline: 800-269-0271.
4. Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) theft hotline: 877-438-4338. Visit the FTC  web site for more information on indentity theft at www.consumer.gov/idtheft .
5. You should not only file a report with the police, but also get a copy of the report in case you need proof of the crime later for credit card companies and other creditors.