Posted by: Dennis Hinkamp on Aug 11, 2008
Keep Your Identity Safe
ASK A SPECIALIST: HOW CAN I PREVENT IDENTITY THEFT?
Answer by: Christine E. Jensen, Utah State University Extension family/consumer science agent, Emery County
Victims of identity theft can spend months or years, along with hard-earned money, cleaning up their good name and credit record. Identity thieves can use personal information to take over credit accounts and open new ones. They can use your credit to get a job, take out a car loan or rent an apartment. While it’s not possible to completely prevent identity theft or fraud, you can reduce its likelihood by managing personal information carefully. Consider these tips.
• Find out who has access to your information at work. Be sure to verify that records are kept in a secure location and are accessible only to employees who have a legitimate reason to see them.
• Shred or burn all papers that contain personal information. You should never throw them in the garbage intact. Make sure business offices do the same with documents containing your information.
• Pay attention to your billing cycles. Contact creditors immediately if your bills arrive late. A missing bill can mean an identity thief has taken over your credit card account and changed your billing address. Deposit outgoing mail in post office collection boxes or at your local post office.
• Be careful about giving out personal financial information. Whether by phone, mail or the Internet, never give anyone your credit card number, Social Security number or other personal information unless you initiated the activity and understand the transaction. Ask to use other types of identifiers when possible.
• List initials instead of full first full names on checks. If your checkbook is stolen, thieves will not know whether you sign your checks with initials, first name or a shortened name. Your bank will know how you sign your checks and will pull suspicious checks and call to verify the purchase.
• When using your checking account to pay credit card bills, do not write the full account number on the “memo” line. Include only the last four digits of the account. The credit card company knows the full number, and those processing your check won’t have access to it.
• Include your work phone number on your checks instead of your home number. If you have a post office box, use that instead of your physical address. Never include your driver’s license or Social Security numbers on checks.
• Avoid carrying your Social Security card in your wallet. This is the most sought-after piece of personal information. Also be cautious with health insurance cards and university ID cards, if you have them, since the account/ID number is often the same as your Social Security number. Students should ask for a randomly generated number if possible. Refrain from giving your number unless it is for a legitimate purpose, such as completing a loan application. Any agency or business can ask for your Social Security number, but only a few entities, such as motor vehicle departments, tax departments, welfare departments, banks, brokerages and employers, can actually demand it.
• Make photocopies of the contents of your wallet. Copy both sides of each license or card. Keep copies in a place separate from your wallet. If you have a passport, make a photocopy and keep in a safe place. This will aid you in replacing the document if it is stolen.
• Guard your credit cards. Watch cashiers when you give them your card for a purchase. Also, when you receive a new card, sign it in permanent ink and activate it immediately.Do not leave cards blank, since anyone can sign and use a blank card.
• Never fax your credit card number since it can remain in the fax basket on the other end for hours.
• Be smart about passwords and PINs and don’t carry them with you. Avoid using easily available information like your mother's maiden name, your birth date, the last four digits of your Social Security number, your phone number or a series of consecutive numbers.
• When making Internet purchases, look for an address that begins with https:\\. The “s” indicates that it is a secure connection and a small padlock symbol should appear in the bottom right-hand corner of your screen, indicating it is safe to transmit your credit card number.
• Check your credit report regularly. This will ensure an early alert on possible accounts or fraudulent activity with your credit. This can help prevent costly problems. You may need to pay a nominal copy fee.
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Direct column topics to: Julene Reese, Utah State University Extension, Logan, UT 84322-4900, 435-797-0810; julener@ext.usu.edu
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