Be "stingy" with personal information

Become “stingy” about giving out your personal information to others unless you have a reason to trust them.

• Start by guarding your personal data and adopting a "need to know" approach to sharing such information. Your credit card company may need to know your mother's maiden name so that it can verify your identity when you call to inquire about your account. A stranger, however, doesn’t need to know this information.



• Don’t be a “phish.” Identity thieves, assuming the identity of major corporations or on-line retail businesses, send out mass e-mails that appear to come from companies you know and respect. This technique is commonly known as “phishing.” These emails seek personal identification – like Social Security numbers, PIN numbers, etc. Never click on a hot link in such an e-mail and never respond with any personal information. Reputable companies, especially financial services institutions, make it a policy never to seek personal information via the Internet.



• The more information that you have printed on your personal bank checks — such as your Social Security number or home telephone number — the more personal data you are routinely providing to people who probably don’t need that information. List only your last name and first initial rather than your full name. You want a retail clerk to check your ID when you are cashing a check.


• Never throw away receipts or statements that contain personal information. The trash is the greatest repository of information for identity thieves. Invest in an inexpensive shredder to eliminate any personal information, like bank account numbers, Social Security numbers, etc. The DC DMV currently shreds ALL driver’s licenses and identification cards turned in to the agency in the presence of the customer. The agency also shreds all old vehicle tags that are surrendered.



• If someone you don't know calls you and offers the chance to receive a "major" credit card, a prize or other valuable item, but asks you for personal data — such as your Social Security number, credit card number and expiration date or mother's maiden name — ask them to send you a written application form. If they won't do it, tell them you're not interested and hang up. If they do send you an application, review it carefully to make sure it's from a company that's well-known and reputable. The Better Business Bureau can give you information about businesses that have been the subject of complaints.



• Don’t leave your mail or newspaper out overnight. If you will be away from home for any period, have your home mail delivery stopped. If possible, secure a locked mail box at your local post office or a retail store mail box service for your home mail delivery. You may also install a mail slot in your front door so that thieves do not have access to your mail. If you go on vacation, continue to have your yard maintained. Make sure your home looks as if it is occupied while you are gone.



• Write “Check ID” on the back of your debit or credit cards next to your signature. In that way, when a retail store checks your signature on your card, they will verify that the card is being used by the proper individual.



• Be aware of people standing too close to you and “shoulder surfing” for your PIN number while you conduct ATM transactions.



• If you have to call someone while you're traveling, and need to pass on personal financial information to the person you're calling, don't do it at an open telephone booth where a passerby can listen to what you're saying. Use a telephone booth where you can close the door, or wait until you're at a less public location to make the call.

Check your financial information regularly

Monitor the balances of your financial accounts. Look for unexplained charges or withdrawals.

• If you have bank or credit card accounts, you should be receiving monthly statements that list transactions for the most recent month or reporting period.

• If you're not receiving monthly statements for the accounts you know you have, call the financial institution or credit card company immediately to inquire why you aren’t receiving your statements.

• If you're told that your statements are being mailed to another address that you haven't authorized, tell the financial institution or credit card representative that you did not authorize the change of address and that someone may be improperly using your accounts. In that situation, you should also ask for copies of all statements and debit or credit transactions that have occurred since the last statement you received. Obtaining those copies will help you to work with the financial institution or credit card company to determine whether some or all of those debit or credit card transactions are fraudulent.

• Checking your monthly statements carefully for unauthorized debits or charges is the best way to safeguard your finances. Too many of us only glance at those statements, enclosed checks or credit card transactions and don't review them closely to make sure there are no unauthorized transactions.

• If someone gains access to your mail or other personal data, opens new accounts in your name or withdraws funds from your bank account, take the steps recommended in the following sections of this publication.

Thanks to a new federal law, everyone in the United States is now entitled to one free copy of their credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus with a 12-month period. You may obtain your free copies whether or not you have become the victim of ID theft. You should carefully review the information contained on your credit reports. Each credit report should list all bank and financial accounts under your name, and will provide other indications of whether someone has wrongfully opened or used any accounts in your name. Go to www.annualcreditreport.com or call (877) 322-8228 to request your report. This is the only legitimate website consumers should use to obtain free copies of their credit reports. Or you can obtain your copies by contacting the three major credit reporting agencies directly (see contact information). It is not necessary for you to order all three copies of your credit reports at the same time. In fact, many experts recommend staggering your requests through the year so that a free credit report can, for example, be obtained from a different credit reporting bureau every four months.

TIP: Mark your calendar to request a free copy of your credit report from a different credit reporting bureau every fourth month. Since each credit report provides essentially the same information, staggering your requests throughout the year in this way will allow you to better monitor the accuracy of the information contained in your credit history.

• Although financial institutions are required to maintain copies of your checks, debit transactions and similar transactions for five years, you should retain your monthly statements and checks for at least one year, if not more. If you need to dispute a particular check or transaction, your original records will be more immediately accessible and useful to the institutions you have contacted.

• You should make a list of all your credit cards, your account numbers and the telephone numbers you should call in case your cards are either lost or stolen. You should do the same thing for your debit and ATM cards. Alternatively, you can make a copy of the front and back of your credit and debit cards if that is easier for you. But remember to put a contact number on the photocopy because time is of the essence when your personal information is lost or stolen. Put this list in a place that is easily accessible, but not visible, in your home.