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| Protect yourself from identity theft |
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| - Be stingy with your Social Security
number. Don't give it out to everyone who asks. Make thoughtful decisions
regarding whether the requester really needs it. Ask to use other types of personal
identifiers.
Do not print your Social Security number
or driver's license number on your checks. Carry
only the number of checks you will need on a given day. Keep pads of blank checks
in a safe place.Never carry anything with your
Social Security number on it. If your health insurance card shows your Social
Security number, ask your insurer for a new card without the Social Security number.
Until you get your new insurance card, carry it only when you need to use it.Prevent
credit reporting agencies from selling your name, Social Security number, address
and credit rating. Merchants who want to offer you credit cards or sell you
merchandise buy your financial information. This is a source for personal information
that can ultimately be published on the Internet. Contact the "Opt out"
option of all credit reporting agencies.
Prevent your creditors and identity clearinghouses
from selling or "sharing" your personal information.
Your creditors generally sell or "share" your name, address,
Social Security number, financial information, spending and bill
paying habits unless you tell them not to. This information often
finds its way to clearinghouses for personal information, and to
the Internet. Find sample letters preventing disclosure at Privacy
Rights Clearinghouse, www.privacyrights.org
and JUNKBUSTERS, www.junkbusters.com.
Clearinghouses and other publishers of personal information are
listed below.
Obtain
and review your credit reports regularly. Check all three major credit reporting
agencies. Dispute incorrect information. Be sure the agency has a correct address
for you, especially if you have moved or suspect your identity has been stolen.
Contact information for credit reporting agencies is below.
If your identity
has been stolen or misused:
- Reports.
Make a police report at your local police department. Possible crimes include
theft, mail theft, car prowling and identity theft. Contact the credit reporting
agencies, your banks, creditors and the check guarantee-verification companies
as soon as possible.
- Other Action. Close all compromised
accounts. Open new accounts with new numbers. "Flag" all other accounts.
Obtain passwords for checking and savings accounts. Stop payment on any outstanding
checks you are unsure of.
- Keep detailed records of who
you talk to, and when.
- If a bill/statement is late,
contact customer service immediately.
- Review your
credit reports regularly for additional unauthorized activity.
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