Identity Theft Prevention

Minimize the Risk of Identity Theft

The following information contains steps that you can take to help minimize your risk of being a victim of identity theft.

In the unfortunate event that you become a victim of identity theft, information is provided on what steps to take to help resolve the incident.

General Actions

	Request a copy of your free credit report yearly from each of the three credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) by following the steps at https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp
	Review your credit card statements every month.
	If either your social security number or drivers license number is printed on your checks get new checks printed and a new drivers license number.
	Use a cross-cut shredder to destroy all documents that you receive in the mail related to any accounts, personal information, or requests to open new accounts.
	Call 1-888-5OPT-OUT to be removed from most pre-approved credit card solicitation lists.
	Do not leave checks (or other personal documents) in your mailbox for the mail carrier to pick up. Drop them off at a mail box or the post office.
	Collect your mail from the mailbox as soon as practical or get a locking mailbox (if allowed by your Home Owners Association).
	Keep your bags and purses zippered!
	Carry only mandatory ID cards and credit cards; leave the rest at home.
	Do not carry your birth certificate, Social Security card, and passport on a daily basis.

Computer and Online Related Actions

Never click on a link within an email to visit a website (even if you think it is from your bank!).

	Instead, go directly to the website by typing in the web address yourself.
	Better yet, bookmark all of your frequently used web sites to your favorites list.

Only open email if you know the sender.

Only open email attachments if you are expecting the attachments.

Delete all unknown emails without opening them. Just the act of opening the SPAM emails sends a message that your email is valid and your address will be sold as a valid email address to SPAM in the future.

If possible, only shop at reputable online stores and make sure the connection is secure (look for the lock icon at the bottom of the screen, not in the webpage itself and double-click it to verify the certificate matches the site you are expecting to be on).

Use Anti-virus software and set it to automatically update.

Set your operating system software to automatically update with the latest patches.

Install or enable a PC firewall.

In the event of an identity theft occurrence

Place a Fraud Alert on your file with all three credit bureaus:

	Experian, 888-397-3742
	Equifax, 800-525-6285
	TransUnion, 800-680-7289

Close all accounts that were affected.

Complete an I.D. Theft Affidavit and file it with all affected creditors. http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/affidavit.pdf

File a police report and keep a copy.

File a complaint with the FTC.

Call 877-438-4338 or complete the online form: https://rn.ftc.gov/pls/dod/widtpubl$.startup?Z_ORG_CODE=PU03

Alert your financial institutions and all your unaffected creditors to alert you if new accounts are opened or other unusual activity.

Change your PIN and password as applicable.

Call 1-800-269-0271, the Social Security Administration Fraud Alert Hotline.

Call the Department of Motor Vehicles to find out if a new Driver’s License has been issued in your name. If so, request a new license number and fill out the DMV’s complaint form.

If law enforcement, your financial institutions, or other organizations involved in your specific identity theft case provide specific steps to take to comply with their policies to resolve your incident, please follow them. InfoSafe Information Security Consulting, LLC. assumes no liability for the information listed on this page.

[ Products ] [ SPAM ] [ Anti-Virus ] [ PC Firewall ] [ Spyware ] [ Privacy ] [ Encryption ] [ Monitoring ] [ Backup ] [ SafeOnline ] [ Identity Theft Prevention ]