How can I prevent identity theft? Keeping your personal information safe is the best way to prevent identity theft. What is personal information? It includes your: • Social Security number • Date of birth • Credit, debit, and ATM account numbers
• Credit, debit, and ATM card personal identification numbers (PINs) • Driver’s license number • Car registration • Insurance policy information

If you purchase items with a check, some stores will write your driver’s license number on the check as a form of identification. By using a debit card instead, you can eliminate this need to reveal your driver’s license number.

Now think of all the places where that information could be found:
• On receipts, monthly statements, and letters
• In your purse or wallet
• In your car
• On your computer
• In your house
• In your desk or locker at work

To protect your personal information, here are some things to make a habit of doing:

Tips for Preventing Identity Theft
•	Three credit reporting agencies create credit reports: • Experian • TransUnion • Equifax Review all three credit reports at least once a year and check for accounts in your name that you didn’t open.
•	Review monthly statements for checking and savings accounts and credit and debit card accounts.
•	Shred or rip up account statements and receipts that list your full account number.
•	If your mailbox is not locked, remove mail from it as soon as you can. If you plan to be away from home for a while, put a “vacation hold” on your mail. Contact your post office for information on how to do this.
•	Shred or rip up preapproved credit card offers that come in the mail—they have your name and address all over them. Identity thieves are also dumpster divers and look for offers to open accounts in your name.
•	Sign new credit, debit, and ATM cards as soon as you receive them.
•	Shred or cut up expired credit cards.
•	Protect your credit, debit, and ATM cards—know where they are at all times. If identity thieves get a hold of these cards, they can “skim” them through a device that allows them to copy information from magnetic strips on your cards to magnetic strips on their counterfeit cards.
•	Don’t provide personal information over the phone, Internet, or through the mail unless you know the people you are giving it to, or if you initiated the contact. An identity thief may call to tell you there’s a “problem” with one of your financial accounts. You will be asked your account number or other personal information to “verify” your identity. If any of your lenders contact you to discuss an issue, they will not ask you to verify your identity with account numbers or your full Social Security number. You may be asked to verify your identity with the last four digits of your social security number.
•	If you use the Internet to purchase items or store personal information on your computer, take these precautions: • Install virus protection software. • Create a “boot” password. If your computer is stolen, it will be harder to access your information. • Install firewall software. • If you get a new computer, be sure to remove all information from your old computer before getting rid of it.