NASSAU COUNTY CIVIC ASSOCIATION, INC.
"The government is us, we are the government, you and I." Teddy Roosevelt
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NASSAU COUNTY CIVIC ASSOCIATION, INC. "The government is us, we are the government, you and I." Teddy Roosevelt |
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How to prevent identity theft
The easiest way for a thief to steal you identity is to go through your garbage to obtain your credit card statements, bills, and banking records. A simple way to prevent this is to shred your documents.
When you pay your credit card bills, write the last four digits of your credit card number on your check. This will prevent access to your credit card number by several other parties. Even your credit card receipts contain the last four digits to safeguard your information.
Never provide your social security number to anyone over the phone. When in person, only provide your social security number if it is required by federal law or state law, i.e. an insurance form for medical benefits. Just because it is requested on a form does not mean you should provide it. Always use your common sense.
Never allow someone else to use your social security number or obtain insurance for someone else.
Limit the
number of important documents you carry in your wallet or purse and make a copy
of the contents. If your wallet, purse is lost or stolen, you will know exactly
what was lost.
File a Police report immediately. This will serve as proof of your account. If
your credit card or driver’s license is used illegally, you should file a
criminal complaint regarding suspected identity theft at your local Police
precinct.
Contact
all three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud
alert on your name and Social Security number. This will require any company
that checks your credit to contact you before authorizing new credit.
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285;
Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742;
Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289;
Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271