Reduce ID theft

ID theft protection and prevention

By managing your personal information carefully and sensibly, you can help guard against identity theft. TrueCredit recommends a few simple precautions to keep your personal information safe.

• Do not carry extra credit cards, your Social Security card, birth certificate or passport with you unless needed.

• When you order new checks, do not have them sent to your home. Pick them up at the bank instead. If stolen, your checks can be altered and cashed by identity thieves.

• Never give out personal information over the phone. Identity thieves may call, posing as banks or government agencies.

• Shred your receipts, credit card offers, bank statements, returned checks, and sensitive information before throwing it away.

• Check with your employer, landlord, and others with access to your personal data to be sure that they are keeping your records safe.

• Order your 3-in-1 Credit Report to make sure it is accurate or sign up for Credit Monitoring to be alerted to changes by email. You can check your comprehensive credit report online at www.TrueCredit.com.

• Protect your Social Security number with extra care. Disclose it only when it is absolutely necessary. Don’t have your Social Security number printed on your checks.

• Follow your billing cycles closely. A missing credit card bill could mean an identity thief has changed your billing address to his own.

• File away a list of all your account numbers--with expiration dates and telephone numbers. If your wallet is stolen, you will be able to quickly alert your creditors.

• When creating passwords & PINs, use a random mix of letters and numbers. Do not use information that may be easily discovered by identity thieves.