Preventing Identity Theft
One of the fastest growing crimes in America is identity theft. Here are a few tips to keep your identity and your money safe.
- Guard your Social Security number! Obtaining your Social Security number is the primary target of someone stealing your identity.
- Never write your Social Security number on a check. Also, don't offer your identification number to a caller on the phone.
- Shred. Shred. Shred. Shred old bank statements, credit card bills, even junk mail.
- Don't carry extra credit cards or other important identity documents with you, such as your social security card.
- Never put outgoing bills in your mailbox. Use the secure big blue boxes near the post office, or go directly to the post office to mail your checks. Also, don't have checks delivered to your home.
- As a preventative measure, keep a photocopy of all of the documents in your wallet and lock up the information in a safe place. If your purse or wallet is stolen, you will have a copy of all of the numbers you'll need to report the information to police, credit card companies and financial institutions.
