Prevent Identity Theft

Know how to protect yourself from identity theft when you surf the Web. The Internet is becoming the number one way for thieves to steal your identity.

Here are some tips to help stop those identity thieves:

• Cut up any expired or otherwise inactive credit cards.
• Never put your credit card number, social security number, or other personal and financial account information on any postcard or the outside of an envelope.
• Close all bank accounts you aren't using and close credit cards accounts you don't need or don't use regularly. They still appear on any your credit report and could be used to obtain loans, credit or make purchases fraudulently.
• Your debit card or ATM card pin should be impossible for someone else to guess. A pin that is your birth date, your child or spouse's birth date, the last four of your social security number or anything else someone could guess, is just asking for identity theft. In fact, using the last four of your social security number is giving away the most personally identifying portion of that social security number. Do not record your PIN number anywhere. Memorize it!
• Avoid giving out any personal information over the Web, on the phone or through the postal service, unless you are the one that initiated the contact and you know the firm that is requesting the information.
• Shred any credit offers you receive in the mail. A cross-cut shredder is one of the best investments you can make.
• Don'l leave outgoing bills in your mailbox for the mailmain to pick up. An unpaid bill is an identity thief's dream come true: name, address, account numbers and signature all in one lovely package.