- Account numbers
- Credit card information
- Social security number
- Mother’s maiden name
- Personal Identification Number (PIN) or password
- Review all account statements as quickly as possible after receiving them. Report any unauthorized activity to the sender of the statement. If you do not receive your billing statement on time, contact your creditor.
- Shred unnecessary receipts, documents, and statements each month before discarding them.
- Store all financial documents (checks, tax records, any item with personal identifying information on it) securely.
- Shred unwanted credit offers and solicitations before discarding.
- Keep your ATM, debit card, and credit card PINs in a safe place. NEVER write them on the card, never store them with the card, and never share them with an unauthorized user.
- Do not disclose account numbers or personal financial information over the phone unless you initiated the call.
- Do not mail bill payments from your mailbox with flag raised. This sends a signal to check fraudsters that you may have checks (which they can steal and alter) in the box.
- If you plan to be away from home and can’t pick up your mail, contact your Post Office and request that your mail be held until you return.
- At least annually, order a copy of your credit report from the three major credit bureaus. Review for any unauthorized activity and immediately report discrepancies to the bureau.
- IMMEDIATELY report lost/stolen checks and ATM/debit/credit cards to your financial institutions and file a police report on stolen items –especially stolen identification.
- Teach your children never to give financial information to callers, and teach them how to spot phony calls.
- Only give out your social security number when absolutely necessary. Some businesses may ask for it as an identifier but aren’t required to obtain it. (Your financial institutions are required to obtain your SSN.)
- Do not have your social security number printed on either your driver’s license or your checks.
- Do not carry an excessive number of items that contain identification information. Carry only the cards you actually need.
- Try to be alert and aware of your surroundings. Thieves and fraudsters look for someone who is too caught up in their activity to notice suspicious behavior.
- Store your receipts in your wallet or purse when you shop, not in the bags with your purchases. Then secure them at home until they are no longer needed.
- Do not use an ATM if it appears to have extra equipment added on to it or appears to have anything on it that does not belong. Information thieves may place a plastic “sleeve” over the card slot, or add on an extra “box.” or even place a sign on the machine telling you to use the extra box because the usual card slot is “out of order.”
- Try not to leave your debit/credit card receipt lying on your table at restaurants. Hand it to your server instead.
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