Identity Theft

How To Guard Against Identity Theft

Remove mail promptly from your mailbox. Never use your mailbox for outgoing mail. Identity thieves raid mailboxes for credit card offers and statements.
Guard your social security number. Do not give out your PIN or credit card numbers over the phone unless you initiated the transaction.
Be very careful with receipts. Make sure you have them when you leave the store or ATM and do not throw them into public trash cans.
Destroy pre-approved credit card offers before you throw them out.
Account for all new checkbooks when you receive them in the mail.
Commit all passwords and PIN numbers to memory so no one can see them in writing.
Block your ATM transaction with your body to prevent someone from learning your PIN.

Avoid sending sensitive information, such as account numbers, through UNSECURED e-mail.
Passwords or PIN numbers should be used when accessing an account online.
General security over your personal computer such as virus protection and physical access controls should be used and updated regularly.

Close your accounts and create passwords for any new accounts.
Request both a "fraud alert" and that no new credit be granted without your approval from the three major credit bureaus.