Identity Theft and Fraud: Part II

Steps you can take to reduce your chances of being a victim:

• Place passwords on your credit card, bank and phone accounts
• Avoid using easily available information like your mother's maiden name, birth date, the last four digits of your SSN or phone number, or consecutive numbers like "1234".  When you are asked for your mother's maiden name on a new account, use a password instead
• Secure personal information in your home especially if you have roommates, employ outside help, or you're having service work done in your home
• Buy a paper shredder for your home, and then use it to destroy all discarded documents that contain any of your personal information such as credit card solicitation and bank statements
• At least once a year, obtain a free credit report from one of the major credit reporting agencies.  In Georgia, you are allowed one per year at no charge.  Check this report for open accounts to verify that none have been opened without your knowledge

Other steps you can take:

• Don't give out personal information on the phone, through the Internet, or through the mail unless you've initiated the contact or you are sure who you're dealing with
• Know that Identity thieves can be very skilled liars.  Before you divulge any personal information, confirm that you're dealing with a legitimate representative of a legitimate organization
• Be a guardian of your mail - Deposit outgoing mail in post office collection boxes or at your local post office instead of an unsecured mailbox.  If you are going to be away from home for awhile, have someone (you trust) collect your mail or call the postal service and ask for a vacation hold until you return
• Give out your SSN only when it is absolutely necessary.  If you have your SSN on your current driver's license, contact the department of motor vehicles to have it substituted for a state issued number
• Limit the identification information and the number of credit and debit cards that you carry to what you actually need
• Create a list of all credit cards and bank accounts.  Also include contact numbers for each of these so you can quickly notify them in the event of a theft.  Remember, thieves will generally use your credit cards immediately following the theft before you have time to cancel them.

In part III, we will deal with what you should do once you've determined that your property or identity has been stolen.