Identity Theft Prevention
Security

There are numerous steps that you can take to prevent identity theft.

1. Shred -
   • junk mail
   • unwanted credit card offers
   • notices
   • advertisements
   • sensitive information
   
   
2. Don't -
   • carry your social security card, passport, or birth certificates in your wallet
   • give your social security number unless absolutely necessary
   • put any other information besides name and address on checkbook
   • forget to take the sales receipts after a purchase
   
   
3. Review -
   • credit report yearly
   • credit card statements monthly
   • bank statements monthly
   • sales receipts after a purchase
   
   
4. Respond quickly -
   • if you've been denied credit. Find out the reason and request a copy of your credit report
   • if there's anything suspicious on your credit card statement, bank statement, etc.

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Steps for Identity Theft Victims
If you think you've been a victim of identity theft, then you can request a free copy of your credit report. You can call one of the three credit bureaus. As soon as one credit bureau confirms your fraud alert, the others are notified to place fraud alerts. All three credit bureaus will then send credit reports directly to you, free of charge within 90 days of the placement of the fraud alert, for your review. Call any one of the three major credit bureaus listed below to place a fraud alert.

• Equifax Tel # 888-766-0008
• Experian Tel # 888-397-3742
• TransUnion Corp. Tel # 800-680-7289

If you don't want the three major credit bureaus to sell your name to credit card companies, you can write to the three major credit bureaus or call (888) 5OPTOUT (567-8688). This will remove your name, for two years, from mailing and telemarketing lists that come from TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian.

In addition, you can also report the crime to the police department and close all existing credit card accounts. Ask the credit card company to note that the account was "closed at consumer's request." You can get replacement cards with new account numbers.

 

Other related articles:

Identity Theft: It's Big Business

Identity thieves are preying on your children

Identity Theft Protection Services, Are They Worth It?

 

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