Protection Pointers | Privacy Protection | Prescreening | Direct Mail | Telemarketing

Identity Theft Protection Resources

Identity theft has become one of the fastest growing crimes in the U.S.; businesses and consumers are losing billions of dollars each year. To help you avoid the scams and cons leading to these high losses, here are some resources to use in prevention or if you should be victimized.

FTC reference sites:

Other sites about ID Theft:


Use these pointers to protect your personal information.

DO ...

  • Shred all personal and financial information, such as bills, statements, receipts and credit card offers before you put them in the trash.
  • Keep your personal documentation like birth certificates, Social Security cards and your credit union and credit card records in a secure place.
  • Call the post office immediately if you are not receiving your mail. A thief can forge your signature and have your mail forwarded.
  • Limit the number of credit cards and other personal information that you carry in your wallet or purse.
  • Sign all new credit cards upon receipt and report lost or stolen credit cards immediately.
  • Match your credit card receipts against monthly bills to make sure there are no unauthorized charges.
  • Be aware of your surroundings when entering your Personal Identification Number (PIN) at an ATM.
  • Cancel all inactive credit card accounts. These accounts appear on your credit report, which is accessible to thieves.
  • If you have applied for a credit card and have not received the card in a timely manner, immediately notify the appropriate financial institution.
  • Monitor the expiration dates on your credit cards and contact the issuer if the replacement card is not received prior to the expiration date.
  • Review your credit reports at least annually.
  • Use passwords on your credit cards, credit union accounts and phone cards. Avoid using obvious passwords such as your mother's maiden name, your birth date, and the last four digits of your Social Security or phone number.
  • Sign up for online security service to guard you against unauthorized use of your credit and debit cards while shopping online at participating merchants.

DON'T ...

  • Volunteer personal information when you use your credit card.
  • Leave receipts at ATMs, credit union or bank counters, in public trash cans or gasoline pumps.
  • Leave envelopes containing your credit card payments or checks in your home mailbox for postal carrier pickup.
  • Give your Social Security number, credit card number, or any financial account details over the phone unless you have initiated the call and know that the business is reputable.
  • Record your Social Security number or passwords on paper and store them in your wallet. Memorize your numbers and/or passwords.
  • Disclose account numbers and other personal financial data on any web site or online service location, unless you receive a secured authentication key from your provider.


Protecting Your Privacy <top>

Spam, telemarketing, junk-mail. Ever wonder how direct mailers, telemarketers and spammers get your e-mail address, street address and phone number? Here are a few things you can do to reduce the amount of telemarketing calls, spam and junk mail you receive:


Prescreening <top>

Some companies, such as mortgage and insurance companies, buy consumer lists from the credit bureaus. The companies ask the bureaus for the lists of consumers who have certain credit qualifications in order to call or mail them offers of pre-approved credit. If you do not wish to receive such offers, you can opt out of these lists by calling 1-888-567-8688. Registration is free, and this opt out registration is honored by each credit bureau.


Direct Mail <top>

The Direct Marketing Association (DMA), is a national trade association serving the direct and interactive marketing field. They have established a Mail Preference Service (MPS) that allows you to opt out of national mailing lists. Register by mail, or for a $5 fee, you can register online. Although registration with MPS will help to reduce the amount of junk mail that you receive, it will not stop all junk mail. You may continue to receive mail from companies with which you already do business and from non-DMA organizations which do not use MPS. Register online at www.dmaconsumers.org By mail – Send your written request, including your name and address and signature to:

Mail Preference Service
Attn: Dept: 12851374
Direct Marketing Association
P.O. Box 282
Carmel NY 10512


Telemarketing <top>

The Do Not Call Registry was created by the Federal Trade Commission to make it easier for you to stop getting telemarketing calls you don’t want. Register online at ww.donotcall.gov or call tollfree, 1-888-382-1222 (TTY 1-866-290-4236), from the number you wish to register.




   

     

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