citizensAmericans are facing an attack on their personal and financial privacy unlike that seen by any prior generation.  A recent General Accounting Office report estimates that as many as 750,000 Americans are victims of identity theft every year. And that number may be low, as many people choose not to report the crime or, for that matter, even know they’ve been victimized.

There’s no ironclad protection that guarantees that you’ll never fall victim to some form of identity theft. But there are steps you can take to protect yourself, many of which are rather simple:

  1. Destroy private records and statements. Tear up — or, if you prefer, shred — credit card statements, solicitations and other documents that contain private financial information.
  2. Secure your mail. Empty your mailbox quickly, lock it or get a P.O. box so criminals don’t have a chance to snatch credit card pitches. Never mail outgoing bill payments and checks from home. They can be stolen from your mailbox and the payee’s name erased with solvents. Mail them from the post office or another secure location.
  3. Safeguard your Social Security number. Never carry your card with you, or any other card that may have your number, like a health insurance card. And don’t put your number on your checks. It’s the primary target for identity thieves because it gives them access to your credit report and bank accounts.
  4. Don’t leave a paper trail. Never leave ATM, credit card or gas station receipts behind.
  5. Never let your credit card out of your sight. Worried about credit card skimming? Always keep an eye on your card or, when that’s not possible, pay with cash.
  6. Know who you’re dealing with. Whenever anyone contacts you asking for private identity or financial information, make no response other than to find out who they are, what company they represent and the reason for the call. If you think the request is legitimate, contact the company yourself and confirm what you were told before revealing any of your personal data.
  7. Take your name off marketers’ hit lists. In addition to the national Do-Not-Call registry (1-888-382-1222), you can also cut down on junk mail and opt out of credit card solicitations.
  8. Be more defensive with personal information. Ask salespeople and others if information such as a Social Security or driver’s license number is absolutely necessary. Ask anyone who does require your Social Security number — for instance, your insurance company — what their privacy policy is and whether you can arrange for the organization not to share your information with anyone else.
  9. Monitor your credit report. Obtain and thoroughly review your credit report (available for free at Annualcreditreport.com or by calling 877-322-8228) at least once a year to look for suspicious activity. If you spot something, alert your card company or the creditor immediately.
  10. Review your credit card statements carefully. Make sure you recognize the merchants, locations and purchases listed before paying the bill. If you don’t need or use department-store or bank-issued credit cards, consider closing the accounts.

If something goes wrong

Again, protecting yourself from identity theft is no sure thing. But there is plenty you can do if you uncover some wrongdoing:

  • First, contact the fraud departments of each of the three major credit bureaus. Tell them that you’re an identity theft victim. Request that a “fraud alert” be placed in your file, along with a victim’s statement asking that creditors call you before opening any new accounts or changing your existing accounts.

Equifax

To report fraud: 1-800-525-6285

and write: P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

Experian

To report fraud: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)

and write: P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013

TransUnion

To report fraud: 1-800-680-7289

and write: Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92634

  • Contact the creditors for any accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. Speak with someone in the security or fraud department of each creditor, and follow up with a letter.
  • File a report with your local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place. Get a copy of the police report in case the bank, credit-card company or others need proof of the crime.
  • Keep records of everything involved in your efforts to clear up fraud, including copies of written correspondence and records of telephone calls.