ID Theft Play video The Big Picture. . . How to Prevent Identity Theft It's hard to keep all your numbers and pass codes private. What's most important to keep to yourself and how can you do that? Steps to take if you are a victim of identity theft-calling the credit card company and the FTC, websites and numbers that can help. Fraud is another way to have your identity stolen. How to protect yourself from mail and e-mail fraud.

It's impossible for you to keep all your information private. Every time you go to a doctor, your insurance card and drivers license is photocopied and available to anyone who opens your folder. At a restaurant, your credit card is taken away and returned some time later, with copies easily made. If you write checks to pay your credit cards, you may write your credit card number on the check, which is seen by any number of people who handle the check. You can't eliminate opportunities for identity theft, but you can make it much harder for the thief.

1. Put a password on your credit card accounts. Use a password that is different from your mother's maiden name. Your mother's maiden name can be found on your credit report, and other people can obtain a copy of this report just by saying you are going to rent some property from them.



2. Who needs to know? Always question the information-gathering and handling practices of merchants, creditors, government agencies, employers, educational institutions, and others-ask yourself if they really have a valid need for the information they are requesting. Don't automatically fill out every blank on every application.



3. Keep your numbers to yourself. Don't put credit card numbers on checks or envelopes. Don't give account numbers over the phone unless you made the call. Always tear up or shred pre-approved credit card applications before throwing them away.



4. Check your statement. Check your billing statements each month for fraudulent charges and report them immediately. If you do not receive your statement on time, someone may be using a fraudulent change of address. Call the creditor first and then the post office to see if a change of address has been filed in your name.



5. Ask for a credit report. Under federal law you are entitled to a free credit report from each of the three main credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Ask for a copy of your credit report once a year from www.annualcreditreport.com to check for changed addresses and fraudulent account information. Unless you’ve had your identity stolen in the past 2 years, there is no need to purchase automatic credit monitoring services if you obtain your free copies every year.

Actions to Report as You Recover from Identity Theft
If someone has stolen your identity, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends that you take three actions immediately:

1. Contact the fraud departments of each of the three major credit bureaus. Tell them to flag your file with a fraud alert, including a statement that creditors should get your permission before opening any new accounts in your name. In a few months, order new copies of your reports to verify your corrections and changes, and to make sure no new fraudulent activity has occurred.



2. Contact the creditors and tell them if your account has been tampered with or opened fraudulently. Ask to speak with someone in the security or fraud department. After your conversation, follow up in writing—its required by the Fair Credit Billing Act for resolving errors on credit billing statements, including charges that you have not made.



3. File a report with your local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place. Keep a copy in case your creditors need proof of the crime.

Filing a complaint with the FTC
If you've been a victim of identity theft, file a complaint with the FTC by contacting the FTC's Identity Theft Hotline by telephone: toll-free 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338); TDD: 202-326-2502; by mail: Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580; or online: http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft. Ask for a copy of ID Theft: When Bad Things Happen to Your Good Name, a free comprehensive consumer guide to help you guard against and recover from identity theft.

Tips to Protect Your Identity
The information these scam artists want includes:

• Social Security number
• credit card numbers
• bank account numbers
• mailing address
• driver's license number
• age
• home address and phone number
• health insurance information (e.g., your Tricare card)

Besides the money for which you may be held liable, it takes time—100 hours or more—it takes to clean up your credit.

The single most important piece of advice is that you should never disclose any personal information unless you initiate a service.