ID Theft Prevention

Prevent Identity Theft

Take steps to protect yourself from identity theft:

• Secure your social security number (SSN). Don’t carry your social security card in your wallet or write your number on your checks. Only give out your SSN when absolutely necessary.
• Don’t respond to unsolicited requests for personal information (your name, birthdate, social security number, or bank account number) by phone, mail, or online. 
• Watch out for “shoulder surfers.” Shield the keypad when typing your passwords on computers and at ATMs. 
• Collect mail promptly. Ask the post office to put your mail on hold when you are away from home for several days. 
• Pay attention to your billing cycles. If bills or financial statements are late, contact the sender.
• Review your receipts. Promptly compare receipts with account statements. Watch for unauthorized transactions.
• Shred receipts, credit offers, account statements, and expired cards, to prevent “dumpster divers” from getting your personal information.
• Store personal information in a safe place at home and at work.
• Install firewalls and virus-detection software on your home computer.
• Create complex passwords that identity thieves cannot guess easily. Change your passwords if a company that you do business with has a breach of its databases
• Order your credit report once a year and review to be certain that it doesn't include accounts that you have not opened. Check it more frequently if you suspect someone has gained access to your account information.

* Please copy 5 of these suggestions.


* What steps will you take to prevent someone from stealing your identity?


* Do you know someone who was a victim of identity theft? How did they resolve the issue?


DUE: TYPED AT THE END OF THE CLASS TODAY.