Identity thieves are often highly skilled, but taking a few basic precautions will increase your chance to avoid becoming a victim by making it difficult for them to get the information they need.
Shred It All
Buy a "confetti" or "cross-cut" shredder and shred everything that has any personal information on it before you put it in the trash. The tiny pieces produced by a confetti type shredder are much harder for an identity thief to piece together than the relatively large strips produced by a regular shredder. If you keep financial or personal information on your home computer and make copies or backups onto CDs or DVDs you should also deface or destroy them before disposing of them. Confetti shredders that will shred CDs and DVDs as well as paper are available for less than $100.
Shield Your Information
When you use an ATM or buy something using a Point-of-Sale device shield what you're doing from prying eyes. Thieves have been known to obtain personal information by peeking over the shoulders of their victims. Be careful.
Protect Your Mail
Incoming mail routinely contains an enormous amount of personal information. While you're at work or school your mail lies on your porch or sticks out of your mailbox waiting for an identity thief to use its contents to steal your personal information. You can protect your mail and yourself by buying a heavy duty mailbox with a key lock or by renting a post office or mail box. When you go away on vacation arrange to have your mail picked up daily or have the post office stop delivery while you're away.
Outgoing mail can also be a rich mine of personal information for identity thieves. A paid bill on the porch waiting for the mail carrier contains a check, and checks have account numbers, addresses, and your signature on them. Some checks imprudently have telephone, drivers' license or Social Security numbers printed on them. Don't leave outgoing mail for the carrier. Drop it into a mailbox on your way to work or school.
Have What You Need If the Worst Happens
Keep a file of all your bank and credit accounts. Include the creditor's name, account number, contact address and telephone, PIN number (if applicable). This file will be incredibly handy if your wallet or purse is lost or stolen or you find you've become a victim of identity theft.
Be Vigilant
- Review your bank, checking account and credit card statement when they arrive, so you can detect unauthorized use as soon as possible.
- When using your credit card keep you eye on it.
- Make your password something other than your mother's maiden name.
- Don't needlessly enter contests or promotions. Is it really worth the risk
- Don't register online if registration requires an excessive amount of personal information.
- Never give personal information by telephone or online unless you have initiated the contact.
- Write your legislators and demand stronger privacy protection.
Order Your Credit Report at Least Once Each Year
- There are three credit reporting agencies. Because each agency has different members reporting to it, each agency will have slightly different information. A full credit report will actually be three reports: one from each agency.
Credit Reporting Bureau |
Order Report |
Report Fraud or
Establish Fraud Alert |
Equifax |
(800) 685-1111 |
(800) 525-6285 |
Experian |
(888) 397-3742 |
(888) 397-3742 |
TransUnion |
(800) 888-4213 |
(800) 680-7289 |
- Credit reports cost $8 to $10 per report ($8 in California). They are free for victims of identity theft, if you've been turned down for credit, or if you are unemployed or receiving welfare.
- Save money and cover your bases by ordering a credit report from one agency first, another agency in 4 months and the third 4 months after that.
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