There are many ways to protect your private information from fraud. Though some tasks take a bit of effort, be aware that cleaning up the mess identity thieves leave behind is far more difficult and time-consuming.
Credit Reports
•	At least annually, check your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus for fraudulent activity
•	Dispute inaccurate information immediatelyPersonal Identity Information
Personal Identity Information
•	Keep all identification and financial documents in a safe and private place
•	Provide personal information only when: 1. You know how it will be used 2. You are certain it won’t be shared 3. You initiated contact and know who you’re dealing with
•	Make all passwords hard to guess by using a complex combination of numbers and upper and lower case letters
•	Request a vacation hold if you can’t pick up your mail
•	Deposit outgoing mail in post office collection boxes or at your local post office
•	Remove mail from your mailbox promptly
•	Keep your purse or wallet in a safe place at work
•	Be aware of your workplace’s security procedures
•	Memorize your Social Security number rather than carrying your Social Security Card
•	Do not have your Social Security or driver license number printed on your checks
•	Review your Social Security annual statement for accuracy
•	Provide your Social Security number only when necessary and to those you absolutely trust
•	Before revealing your Social Security number, ask: 1. Why your number is needed 2. How your number will be used 3. What happens if you refuse
Credit Card and ATM/Debit Cards
•	Carry only those cards you really need
•	Shred all statements and pre-approved credit card offers with a crosscut shredder
•	Reduce the number of pre-approved offers you receive by adding your name to the name-deletion lists of the Direct Marketing Association’s Mail Preference Service and Telephone Preference Service
•	Photocopy both sides of your credit cards so you have all the account numbers, expiration dates and phone numbers, and keep the copies in a safe place
•	Cancel unused credit card accounts
•	Be aware of people behind you at the ATM, or anywhere else you swipe your card
•	If you give your credit or debit card to someone for a transaction, watch them swipe it and inspect the receipt for accuracy
•	Know your billing cycles and contact creditors if bills don’t arrive on time
•	Examine the charges on your credit card statements every month
Checking Accounts
•	Know where your checkbook is at all times
•	Print firmly and use indelible ink when writing checks
•	Check your account statement for fraudulent activity
•	Do not give out your checking account number unless you know the company requesting the information and understand why the information is necessary
Computer
•	Update virus protection software periodically, and after every new virus alert is announced
•	Do not download files or open hyperlinks sent from people you don’t know
•	Use a firewall program to prevent your computer from being accessible to hackers
•	Use a secure browser to guard the security of your online transactions
•	Enter personal and financial information only when there is a “lock” icon (oe) on the browser’s status bar and look for the URL to read “https” versus “http”
•	If you must store personal and financial information on your laptop: 1. Use a strong password – one that is a hard-to-guess combination of upper and lower case letters and numbers 2. Don’t use an automatic log-in feature 3. Always log off when you’re finished
•	Before disposing of a computer, delete personal information using a “wipe” utility program to overwrite the entire hard drive