Preventing Identity Theft

No one is immune from identity theft, but if you're proactive in protecting your information, you reduce the risk of becoming a victim. There are many steps you can take to protect yourself from fraud.

• Review your credit report once a year from the three major credit reporting bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Visit annualcreditreport.com for a free copy of your report. You can request this free copy once every 12 months.
• Guard your personal information. Don't give out your Social Security number unless absolutely necessary, and never respond to unsolicited requests for your information online or by phone or mail.
• Pay attention to your billing cycles and check your statements. If a bill is late, contact the sender right away. Review your credit card and bank account statements for unauthorized transactions. Contact your financial institution right away if you don't recognize a charge.
• Protect your mail. Always collect your mail promptly, and place a hold on your mail when you're on vacation. Elect to receive secure online statements in lieu of physical mail when possible.
• Dispose of sensitive documents carefully. Never simply throw away statements, pay stubs or letters that include your personal information. Use a cross-cut shredder or take advantage of the low-cost shred services at your local Staples, FedEx Office or UPS Store.
• Create complex passwords that cannot be easily guessed, and change them regularly.
• Only carry what you need. Don't keep your Social Security card in your wallet, and only bring the credit cards you regularly use.
• Avoid a false sense of security. Always keep an eye on your possessions and store important documents in a secure place.