Actions to take In Real Life
MONITOR YOUR SURROUNDINGS
We can, and often do, give away our personal information without even realizing it. Be cautious of those around you when providing personal information. Keep an eye out when entering a PIN or while using your credit card. Make sure no one is looking over your shoulder trying to collect that information.
GUARD YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
Your Social Security Number is your most valuable piece of identifying information and should be carefully guarded. Situations will arise when someone asks for it, and you should be prepared. If someone asks for your SSN, check to see if it is absolutely necessary that you share the number. There may be another identifier that can be used instead.
If someone insists that they need your SSN, be sure you understand the following before sharing this essential private information.
- Why is it required?
- How will it be used?
- Who will have access to the information?
- What happens if you do NOT provide the information?
- How will the data be stored and protected, and ultimately, disposed of?
NEVER carry your Social Security Card with you unless it is absolutely necessary.
INVEST IN A SAFE
Birth certificates, passports, Social Security cards, and any other personally identifying information should be stored in a secure place in your home - a safe is the best bet.
USE YOUR SHREDDER
Identity thieves are not above diving into your trash can to steal your personal or valuable information. Don't provide them easy access to your receipts, credit card statements, credit card applications, health insurance information, or any other personal information by simply throwing it away. Use a micro-cut shredder to shred any documents that you no longer need to keep if they contain your valuable data.
BE CAREFUL WITH CHECKS
Checkbooks are easy to steal and use, and it can be costly and time consuming to stop payment and close accounts in the event of a loss. If you pay with checks frequently, consider another form of payment, if available. If it is not available, make sure that your checks don't include your driver's license number or social security number. Consider including a first initial only instead of your entire first name. This makes it more difficult for a thief to use your checks, and eliminates the risk of them gaining additional personal information about you.
USE A LOCKED MAILBOX
Placing paid bills in your mailbox for pickup leaves them vulnerable to theft. If they are stolen, the thief has access to your name, account numbers, and checking account routing numbers. It is safer to drop bills in a locked postal service mailbox or directly at the post office.
READ YOUR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Be sure to thoroughly read all of your financial statements to confirm that all of the transactions on your statements are, in fact, yours. If they do not, contact your financial institution immediately and report the transactions to them. Additionally, if your statements are mailed to you, keep track of when they normally arrive each month. If you notice that one or more statements hasn't arrived, it could be a sign that they have been stolen and that your account information has been compromised. Consider taking advantage of online account statements to eliminate this worry.
READ YOUR MEDICAL STATEMENTS
Medical identity theft is on the rise and it can be particularly dangerous, as incorrect information appearing on your medical record could prevent you from receiving proper care. To ensure that no one is using your information to receive medical attention, carefully read the explanation of benefits notices that arrive from your health insurance provider. Contact them immediately if you see anything that looks unfamiliar.
USE PHOTO ID
A photo ID can help secure in-person transactions. Instead of signing the back of a credit card, write "See Photo ID." you may also consider enrolling for a credit card that allows your picture to be used to confirm purchases.