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Identity Theft: A Huge Danger to Prepare for and Manage

prevention checklist:

Click Here - For a PDF of this page

Buy:

  • Shredder - get the confetti cut.

    Office Depot, Inc icon iconicon

  • Locking mailbox:

    ImprovementsCatalog.com (HSN Improvements, LLC) icon

    iconicon

  • Locking filing box/cabinet. There's a lot out there..think about fire protection. Office Depot, Inc icon

    iconicon

  • Your Credit records: Equifax Get the report from one or all three main places at least once a year..depending on level of exposure (break-in, lost wallet, just being organized)

    Copy: and exchange with a close friend (who doesn't live with you)

  • Your passport

  • driver's License

  • Birth certificate

  • All Credit cards, insurance cards -- both sides

  • Any loan statement/numbers

    Do:

  • guard PINs and passwords

  • mail any outgoing financial info from a Post box

  • secure all personal info in your home/office

  • make a copy of everything in your wallet, both front and back. Keep that copy somewhere safe, and also give a copy to someone in a different household you trust and could call in an emergency when traveling.

  • be aware of people watching you at an ATM. Stand so the numbers are covered.

  • have 2 passwords. one simplistic one, one secure financial one

  • assure that all financial institutions have your up-to-date information

  • pick up your box of checks at your local branch

  • When you move, DIRECTLY contact all institutions to let them know your new address.

  • get your photo on your Credit Card and your ATM card

  • Keep your all the phone numbers of accounts you might have to cancel in a separate place from your wallet. (in your PDA address book?)

  • Be alert. check bills for mis-information, make sure you GET all the bills you should, (have a list of all your bills and check it monthly)

  • get security software

  • clean hard drives before getting rid of comupters (software or hammer)

  • stop telemarketers and junk mail

  • change 'passwords' from financial institutions from 'mother's maiden name' or last 4 digits of Social Security number.

    Don't:

  • use birthdate, mom's maiden name, Social Security Number, or anything obvious as a password

  • put SS#, your full name on your checks. and don't have them printed exactly like you sign them. Use initials.

  • give out numbers to incoming calls or emails

  • place outgoing finance info in an insecure mailbox

  • pay any bills you don't understand

  • write full vendor account numbers on checks when paying the bill.

  • keep PIN numbers and passwords in your wallet/purse

  • put unshredded financial information in the garbage/recycling

    Triage:

    When it's happened to you

    Make an assessment. Have you been victimized or compromised?

    1. Begin a log of all activity with date, time, name of operator, and file copy of all mail you sent. and send it registered mail.

    2. Contact all financial institutions by phone and mail (don't forget loans and retirement accounts) The Government help page or call 877-ID-THEFT

    3. Contact fraud units of all 3 credit agencies: Equifax does them all. (call, don't use the website) 800-525-6285

    4. Contact authorities: - FTC- 888-FTC-HELP or The Federal Trade Commission

    - SS Admin 800-269-0271 or email oig.hotline@ssa.gov

    - Local Police Dept:

    Persist to get a police report, many creditors require it. If local police won't, go to county, if not them, go to state.

    For checks:

    Request notice to go out to vendors from check verification companies:

    eCheck: 800-710-9898

    Certegy, Inc.: 800-437-5120

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