13 Steps You Can Take To Prevent Identity Theft:

The Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act,5. Carry only the identification and the number of
known commonly as FACTA, was put into law incredit and debit cards that you will actually use.
the United States to help to protect consumersLeave extra cards in a safe place at home, in a
from identity theft and to help in its prevention.safety deposit box, or any other secured location.
FACTA ensures that all citizens are treated fairly6. Avoid giving out personal information on the
when they apply for a mortgage or other formphone, through the mail, or on the internet unless
of credit and it entitles them to a free annualyou are absolutely sure you know and can trust
credit report to verify its accuracy.with whom you are communicating. Caution:
Becoming a major epidemic, Identity Theft occursBefore you share personal information, be sure
when a criminal uses another person's personalyou are dealing with a legitimate business or
information to take on that person's identity.organization. (If you are unsure about an online
Identity theft includes the misuse of a Socialcommunication, check the organization's website
Security number, credit cards, mail fraud, scam,by typing its URL in the address line. Most large
schemes, frauds, or any other form of misuse orcompanies post alerts on their sites when they
abuse of a victim's identity.are aware of a scam when their name is used
There is no guarantee that you will never be aimproperly.)
victim; however, there are steps you can take toIdentity thieves usually pose as representatives
minimize your risk. Here is a list of 13 steps youof banks, lotteries, sweepstakes, internet service
can take to prevent or at least minimize itsproviders, or some other officially-sounding-entity.
occurrence:They will use any means possible to try to get
1. Manage your personal information cautiously andyou to reveal your valuable information.
with a new awareness that identity theft can7. Call the Customer Service Department of
occur anytime anywhere and when you leastcompanies or organizations with whom you do
expect it.business using the number listed on your account
2. Ask about security procedures in yourstatement or in the telephone book.
workplace, doctor's office, or other business or8. Do not place passwords on your credit card,
organization that routinely collects relevant andbank, or telephone accounts.
personal identifying information as part of doing9. When choosing a password, avoid using obvious
business or providing a service. Find out who hasinformation like your mother's maiden name, your
access to your personal information and verifybirth date, a series of consecutive numbers, or
that it is handled securely. Inquire about theirthe last four digits of your Social Security Number
disposal procedures and if your information will beor your phone number.
shared with anyone else (namely third parties10. Pay attention to your billing cycles. A missing
such as mailing list companies, marketing andbill could mean an identity thief has gotten their
survey companies, etc.).hands on it.
3. Instead of giving your Social Security Number,"9.9 million people were victims of identity theft in
inquire if you can use other types of identification.2002", according to the Federal Trade
Use your Social Security Number with caution andCommission. Don't wait until it happens to you.
only when absolutely necessary.11. Be wary of promotional scams or phony
"Your Chances of becoming victimized by someoffers to get you to give them your personal
form of identity theft is one in ten," according toinformation such as lottery and sweepstakes' that
the Federal Trade Commission.you have never entered and ones asking for an
4. If you find that you have been victimized,"administration" fee.
immediately file a complaint with the Federal12. If your job requires you to suit up in special
Trade Commission. The FTC maintains a databaseclothing at work, never leave your purse or wallet
of identity theft cases used by law enforcementin your personal clothes. Always keep them in a
agencies for investigations. Filing a complaint helpssafe and secured place.
the FTC learn more about identity theft and the13. When reordering checks, pick them up at the
problems victims are having. This knowledge helpsbank instead of having them sent to your mailbox.
them to assist you better.