ShoppersResource.com highly recommends taking action to protect
your identity (personal information and account numbers). Please
consider the following steps to safeguard your private data:
-
Give out your Social Security only when absolutely
necessary. As a general rule, we recommend that you do not
fill in your SS# on any documentation. If the company really
needs it, they will ask. Even then, find out why they want the
number. Most financial and medical institutions will need it,
but many other companies that ask for it do not.
-
Don't give out your personal information over the phone
unless you have initiated the call. This will protect you
from falling prey to a caller whose sole purpose is to wrangle
that information out of you. If the call is legitimate, they
can give you the name of the company and a number for you to
return the call. That gives you time to check things out before
giving out any information. If you receive a call from a telemarketer,
simply ask them to remove your number from their calling list
immediately - they are legally required to do so at your request.
-
Store your Social Security card and other personal documents
in a safe place (don't carry them in your wallet). Be on
the lookout for those institutions that want to put your SS#
on your membership card (health insurance ID cards and drivers
licenses are the most common). Request to have a randomly generated
number instead.
-
Never send your social security or credit card information
via e-mail. It is safe to pass this information along on
a site that is using Secure Socket Layer protection SSL
(you may be applying for a bank account, credit card or loan
online), but never in an e-mail.
-
Keep track of all of your ATM, credit card, debit card and
other receipts. Store them in a safe place until you receive
the bill, and then file them. When it's time to discard them,
run the documents through a paper shredder.
-
Watch your bills carefully (specifically your credit card
statements). If you don't receive your bills at the regular
intervals, contact the credit card companies. One trick an identity
thief might use is to submit a false "change of address
form" so that your mail is redirected to another address
(and you won't see the fraudulent charges).
-
Create an online account with your credit or debit card
company. Log on and monitor your transactions weekly. This
will give you the opportunity to nip fraudulent activity in
the bud (someone may have your credit card number, and assume
that you won't see the activity until you get the bill).
-
Keep a list of all your credit card and other financial
information. You will want to have a record of your account
numbers and the number to call in case of a loss or theft.
-
Purchase a paper shredder and
use it! We recommend shredding any documents that you would
throw away that contain your name and address (in case someone
is snooping around in your trash). The bare minimum that you
should shred includes: "pre-approved" credit card
offers, charge receipts, doctor's bills and insurance documents,
bank statements and all accompanying receipts, and all financial
documentation. There is a certain recommended time that you
should keep these documents, but when it's time to discard them,
definitely shred them! Find out more on how
long you should retain your records.
-
Check your credit reports at least once a year. You
can work with a credit
reporting company so that you can review your credit at
any time, or contact one of the three major credit bureaus directly
(Equifax,
Experian
and TransUnion):
-
Look for inquiries from institutions that you have not
asked for credit.
-
Cancel any unused credit card accounts
-
Ask about having a "fraud alert" placed on your
account. The advantage to making this request is that you
will be contacted at the address and phone number listed
with the credit agency whenever a request is made to open
a new account. The disadvantage is that you would not be
able to open any "instant" credit accounts while
you are out shopping.
-
Cut down on unsolicited credit card offers. Opt out
by calling 1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688) and requesting that
you not receive any more unsolicited offers. The FTC
has more information.
-
Cut down on junk mail. Contact the Direct
Marketing Association (DMA) and register with the Mail
Preference Service (MPS). There is a small fee if you register
online, and it's free (and it takes longer to become active)
by regular mail.
-
Cut down on email. Contact the Direct Marketing Association
(DMA) and register witht he e-Mail
Preference Service (e-MPS).
-
Cut down on telemarketing phone calls. Contact the Direct
Marketing Association (DMA) and register with the Telephone
Preference Service (TPS). There is a small fee if you register
online.
If you do become a victim of identify theft (or lose your wallet),
please do the following:
