ID Theft Prevention Tips

Tips to Avoid ID Theft

Protect Yourself from Identity TheftIt's a growing problem that you want to avoid. Here are a few brief tips to help you avoid becoming an identity theft victim.

• Don't provide personal information to anyone unless you initiated the contact.
• Shred personal information before discarding.
• Protect PINs and passwords and don't make them easy for others to figure out.
• Carry only cards and driver's license you use routinely with you daily.
• Read account and billing statements carefully.
• Review your credit report annually from each of the three major bureaus

To order credit reports:

Beginning September 1, 2005 all consumers will be able to order a free credit report annually from the three reporting agencies above through a centralized resource using this phone or web contact information.
Phone: 1-877-322-8228
Internet: www.annualcreditreport.com

Consumer eligibility to use this resource is rolling out by region as follows: Western states, December 1, 2004; Midwestern states, March 1, 2005; Southern states, June 1, 2005; and Northeastern states, September 1, 2005.

If you become an identity theft victim follow these important steps.

• File a police report.
• Contact the fraud departments at the credit bureau numbers listed above
• Contact the Federal Trade Commission hotline 1-877-ID-THEFT
• Contact all creditors to inform them, close accounts, and obtain new cards and security codes.

To report fraud: