Internet Fraud Protection: Tips and Tricks to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

Identity theft occurs when someone misuses your personal identification to obtain credit, loans, services, even rents and mortgages in your name. They can even commit crimes while posing as you!

Identity theft can be an overwhelming and frightening experience if it happens to you. But the good thing is that there are ways to fix it and avoid it.

Prevention

1. Buy a cross-cut shredder: These inexpensive shredders typically range from $30 to $80. Shred all your important papers and mail. Especially pre-approved credit card applications. Shred your credit card receipts, too.

2.Dumpster Diving: Never dump anything containing personal information. Anything that identifies you personally should be shredded.

3. ATMs and Phone Calls – Believe it or not, people really do look for PIN numbers. Be careful and be careful when giving out personal information in public.

4.Check Delivery: Have your checks delivered to your bank. Avoid having them shipped to your home as they have been known to be stolen and altered with an acid wash.

5. Don’t mail checks from home – drop them in a US mailbox or post office. These are also easy to alter with an acid wash.

6.Cancel old credit cards – Cancel all credit cards that you have not used in the last 6 months. Open credit is a prime target for thieves.

7. Use passwords! – Be sure not to use your mother’s maiden name. Also be sure to use something hard to guess like words and numbers.

8. Get a PO Box or locked mailbox.

9. Protect your information: when you are in a doctor’s office, etc. make sure they protect your information and destroy other documents.

10. Empty your wallet of all extra credit cards and social security numbers, etc. Do not carry any identifier that you do not need. Do not carry your birth certificate, social security card, or passport, unless it is necessary.

11. Don’t put your phone number on your checks.

12. Do not put your credit card account number on the Internet (unless it is encrypted on a secure site). Do not put account numbers on the outside of envelopes or on your checks.

13. Take your name off promotional lists.

Experian: (888) 567-8688

Equifax: (888) 567-8688

Trans Union: (888) 567-8688

Write to the following to get off promotional lists:

Direct Marketing Association
Mail preference service
post office box 9008
Farmingdale, NY 11735 Direct Marketing Association
Telephone Preference Service
post office box 9014
Farmingdale, New York 11735

14. Consider making your phone an unregistered number or just use an initial.

These are just a few ways to stay safe from fraudulent thieves. Also remember that everyone is entitled to one free credit report per year.

Below are 3 of the major credit bureaus:

credit bureaus

EQUIFAX

PO Box 105873

Atlanta, Georgia 30348

Order Report # (800) 685-1111

Fraud # (800) 525-6285

Website: http://www.equifax.com

EXPERIAN (formerly TRW)

post office box 2104

Allen, TX 75013-2104

Order Report# (888) 397-3742

Fraud # (800) 301-7195

Website: http://www.experian.com

TRANSUNION CORPORATION

PO 34012

Fullerton, CA 92834

Order Report# (800) 916-8800

Fraud # (800) 680-7289

Website: http://www.tuc.com