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How to Protect Your Identity. 4 Easy Tips: Be defensive with personal information Be careful online Beware of the unusual Act fast when something’s fishy. Tip 1: Be Defensive With Your Personal Information.
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How to ProtectYour Identity 4 Easy Tips: • Be defensive with personal information • Be careful online • Beware of the unusual • Act fast when something’s fishy
Tip 1: Be Defensive With Your Personal Information "Ms. Jones? This is Robert over at your bank. We think someone may have tried to access your checking account. But before I can discuss this further, bank regulations require that I verify your identity. May I have your birth date? And the Social Security number on your account? ..."
Avoid Giving Out YourSocial Security Number • Question those who ask for it • Never give it out over the phone or Internet unless you initiated the call or really trust the company
Shred, Shred, andShred Some More • Get a cross-cut shredder • Shred anything with your name, address, account numbers or other personal information
Strip Your Wallet • Only carry essential credit cards • Never carry your Social Security number
Mind Your Mail • Know when bills and bank statements typically arrive and retrieve them as soon as possible • Install a locked mailbox if yours is not secure • Don't leave mail out for pick-up at home or in open reception boxes at work
Opt Out of Junk Mail To stop receiving pre-approved credit card or insurance solicitations, contact the three credit bureaus' joint notification system, at (888) 5-OPTOUT, or online at www.optoutprescreen.com.
Protect YourPersonal Belongings • Don't leave valuables in your car (trunks aren't safe either because of pass-throughs from the back seat) • Don't store Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, or passwords on cell phones or PDA's • Get a locked file cabinet or safe to store sensitive financial information • When ordering checks, pick them up at the bank
Tip 2: Be Careful Online The Basics: • Don't open files from strangers • Install a firewall • Use antivirus and anti-spyware software • Use strong, confidential passwords • If you go wireless, use encryption
Don’t Go Phishing! • Phishing is when thieves use e-mail messages to lure unsuspecting people to Web pages disguised as the pages of trusted companies. • These Web pages trick people into revealing bank account numbers, passwords, and Social Security numbers.
How to Detect Phishing • Do they threaten you with the loss of a service? • Do they ask you to click on a link to update your personal information? • Does the message contain spelling mitsakes, awkward grammar, or irregular capitalization?
Tip 3: Beware ofthe Unusual • Review your statements upon arrival • Note strange activity
Tip 4: Act Fast When Something’s Fishy • Time is of the essence! • “It’s kind of like a firefight. You can’t let it smolder.” —ID Theft Victim