Preventing Identity Theft

• Don't give your social security or account number to anyone over the phone unless you initiated the call.  Only give your social security number when absolutely necessary.  Ask to use other types of identifiers when possible.
• Keep your social security card in a safe place.
• Beware of email requests for updated information on your credit card.
• Share personal information over the Internet only if you feel it is a secure site.
• Tear or shred pay stubs, charge receipts, statements and checks, insurance forms, physician statements, expired charge cards and credit offers you get in the mail.
• Review your account and credit card statements in a timely manner.
• Protect your PINs and computer passwords.
• Safeguard your personal information, credit cards, debit cards, checkbooks, statements, etc. by keeping them in a safe place.
• Minimize the number of charge cards you carry to what you actually need.
• Check your credit report periodically for such things as inquiries to your credit and review for delinquent accounts you may not have opened.

For more helpful information in preventing identity theft, you can visit the federal trade commission's website at www.consumer.gov/idtheft/