How to Prevent Identity Theft

Identity theft relies on a criminal getting access to your personal and financial information. Protecting this information as best as is possible is the first step. Having said that, anyone can fall victim to identity theft. Understand that there are many ways that criminals can get access to your information. They can:

1. steal your wallet or purse

2. steal your mail

3. go through your garbage

4. listen to information you give out or speak about publicly

5. purchase information from other thieves or over the Internet

6. con you into giving information over the phone, by mail or by email

7. steal it from financial and other institutions

8. steal it by hacking into your computer

Steps you can take:

• Never give out any personal or financial information, particularly when within earshot of another individual

• Request copies of your credit reports from all three credit bureaus yearly

• Firewall your computers

• Never give out your social security number to anyone unnecessarily

• Lock your mailbox

• Destroy any garbage that contains any personal information prior to throwing it into the garbage

• Do not write your driver's license number on checks

• Don't carry your Social Security Card with you

• Don't carry your passport with you unless traveling

• Never give any information to telephone solicitors