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Preventing Identity Theft | How to Protect Yourself | Steps to Take if Your Identity is Compromised | Other Resources
Have you ever lost your cell phone or wallet? Remember the panic that ensues, and the relief when you find them? What if those same things are stolen and you can't track them down -- or worse, your identity and financial reputation is stolen?
There are steps you can take to protect your property, your identity and your files. Problems caused by identity or mobile device theft, unsafe Web surfing, and unprotected files can be minimized if not avoided entirely.
Identity theft occurs when a criminal uses another person's information to take on that person's identity. Identity theft is much more than misuse of a Social Security number -- it can also include credit card, bank account and mail fraud.
Know about the threats that you face online. Learn about:
If you suspect that you've been a victim of Identity Theft, see a list of steps to take if your data is compromised or stolen.
The following tips can help lower your risk of becoming a victim of identity theft.
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Protect your Social Security number. |
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Don’t carry your Social Security card or other cards that show your SSN. See this page about identity theft and Social Security numbers. |
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Use caution when giving out your personal information. |
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Scam artists "phish" for victims by pretending to be banks, stores or government agencies. They contact potential victims via phone, online, in e-mails and/or by postal mail. |
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Treat your trash carefully. |
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Shred or destroy papers containing your personal information, including credit card offers and unused “convenience checks." |
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Protect your postal mail. |
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Retrieve mail promptly. Put your mail delivery on hold when you go out of town for a prolonged period of time (more than a day or two). |
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Check your bills and bank statements. |
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Open your credit card bills and bank statements right away. Check carefully for any unauthorized charges or withdrawals and report them immediately. Call if bills don’t arrive on time. It may mean that someone has changed contact information to hide fraudulent charges. |
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Check your credit reports. |
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Review your credit report at least once a year. Check for changed addresses and fraudulent charges. |
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Stop pre-approved credit offers. |
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Pre-approved credit card offers are a target for identity thieves who steal your mail. Have your name removed from credit bureau marketing lists. Call toll-free 888-5OPTOUT (888-567-8688). |
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Ask questions. |
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Whenever you are asked for personal information that seems inappropriate for the transaction, ask how the information will be used and if it will be shared. Ask how it will be protected. If you’re not satisfied with the answers, don’t give your personal information. |
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Protect your computer. |
Protect personal information on your computer by following good security practices:
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Use caution on the Web. |
| When shopping online, check out a Web site before entering your credit card number or other personal information. Read the privacy policy and take opportunities to opt out of information sharing. Only enter personal information on secure Web pages that encrypt your data in transit. You can often tell if a page is secure if "https" is in URL or if there is a padlock icon on the browser window. |
Identity Theft: What to Do if It Happens to You
Federal Trade Commission Links
Fraud.Org's Internet Fraud Site
Information on this page was collected primarily from the Federal Trade Commission's web site, your National Resource about Identity Theft.