1. If you're moving, contact all your
creditors and update them of your address changes immediately.
You don't want credit information and new credit cards being
delivered to the wrong address. Likewise, if your credit card
expires and you don't receive a new one, call your creditor
immediately.
2. Never leave paid bills in your mailbox
for the mail carrier to pick up. Drop them off at a post office
box.
3. Limit the number of credit cards you
carry. The fewer cards you have, the easier it is to track
them. Plus don't carry other important identity documents
except when needed.
4. Don't provide your Social Security
number, bank account number or credit card number to anyone
who contacts you through telephone solicitation.
5. If you're shopping with an online merchant
for the first time, look for the Trust-e symbol or a Better
Business Bureau online seal. These indicate the seller has
been independently audited and deemed trustworthy.
6. Place the contents of your wallet on
a photocopy machine. Copy both sides of your license and credit
cards so you have all the account numbers, expiration dates
and phone numbers if your wallet or purse is stolen. Store the copy in a safe place.
7. After applying for a loan, credit card,
rental or anything else that requires a credit report, request
that your SSN on the application be truncated or completely
obliterated and your original credit report be shredded before
your eyes or returned to you once a decision has been made.
A lender or rental manager needs to retain only your name
and credit score to justify a decision.
8. Don't sell or give away your old computer
without permanently
reformatting, or "wiping," the hard drive clean
of all your personal information.
--
Compiled by Dani
M. Arthur,
illustrations by Brandy Kesl
