It Can Happen To You!

• Don’t give out personal information (such as your income or buying habits) to people or businesses that ask for it. For example, don’t include personal information:
• when you enter drawings at stores
• when you fill out warranty cards
• when you respond to surveys on the Internet
• Check your credit card statements carefully and immediately report unauthorized purchases.
• Shred all credit card receipts and solicitations, cancelled checks and financial documents before throwing them away.
• Never provide personal, bank account or credit card information to anyone who contacts you through a telephone or email solicitation.
• Be wary of a new fraud scheme that uses fictitious IRS forms to steal your identity.
• Never write down PINs and passwords on your card – memorize them and do not use any part of your Social Security number, mother’s maiden name, your birth date or address.
• Guard your Social Security number. Never carry it in your wallet, write it on checks, or give it to anyone who calls you.
• Change your driver’s license number to a randomly assigned number rather than your Social Security Number.
• Be careful at ATMs and when using phone cards. “Shoulder surfers” can get your PIN number and gain access to your account.
• Put passwords on all your accounts.
• Cancel unused credit cards (cutting them up is not enough).
• Do not leave paid bills with checks in your mailbox for the mail carrier to pick up.
• Check your credit report at least twice a year.
• Call your credit card company if your card has expired and you have not received a new one.
• Do not use your credit card account number on the Internet unless it is encrypted on a secure site.
• Get more information about your rights to financial privacy. You may visit these web sites: www.fdic.gov – "Privacy Choices;" www.ftc.gov/privacy – "Sharing Your Personal Information: It’s Your Choice."
• Surf anonymously and remove identifying information from your browser. To learn how go to: www.epic.org/privacy/tools.html.