Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Tips for Preventing Identity Theft
Identity theft affects all of us - even if we are not personally a victim of identity theft. The loss to individuals is high, but the losses to institutions and businesses is transferred to each of us as consumers.
In addition to financial loss, identity theft can negatively affect your credit rating, making it more difficult to purchase a car or home, and much more.
Taking some simple steps can help you reduce your chances of becoming a victim.
Some suggestions were shared with our staff, and we now share them with you:
1. The next time you order checks have only your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your checkbook, they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name, but your bank will know how you sign your checks.
2. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put "PHOTO ID REQUIRED".
3. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the "For" line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing channels won't have access to it.
4. Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a PO Box use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, use your work address. Never have your SS# printed on your checks. You can add it if it is necessary. But if you have it printed, anyone can get it.
5. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel.
Keep the photocopy in a safe, secure place place.
6. When you check out of a hotel that uses cards for keys (and they all seem to do that now), don't turn the "keys" in. Take them with you and destroy them. Those little cards have on them all of the information you gave the hotel, including address and credit card numbers and expiration dates. Someone with a card reader, or employee of the hotel, can access all that information with no problem whatsoever.
Some other tips include:
1. When using a debit card at the ATM or to pay at a store, use your body to shield the transaction from onlookers. Don't let others see your card number or PIN number.
2. Only purchase online from reputable, secure sites.
3. Do not give out any personal information to someone you do not know and trust.
4. Do not give out account information in response to emails from known companies such as AOL or Ebay claiming your account information needs to be updated. Often these look very authentic, but the practice is known as "phishing" and is a great way to use your identity and/or charge to your credit card.
5. If you receive notification that you won a contest you never entered, beware. Unless you can verify that this was a legitimate contest, do not give out any personal information. Most are scams, or may be sales techniques for vacation properties, etc. Be sure to get the details and verify the legitimacy of any offer.
6. Cut up used cards; shred mail no longer needed that has credit card, social security number or other personally identifying information. For paperwork you retain, store it in a secure location.
7. If you are away, arrange for a trusted friend or relative to pick up your mail as soon after delivery as possible, or have your mail held by the post office.
8. Request a copy of your credit rating regularly. Most credit reporting companies allow you at least one free copy of your credit report. It is better to find an error or problem before you need to send a copy to a potential lender.
Resources
Federal Trade Commission ID Theft Pamphlet
Federal Trade Commission Consumer Facts on Identity Theft
Department of Justice Identity Theft Prevention
A Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission Accredited Agency
Crime Prevention Center Home Safety Hazard Report Form Annoying Telephone Calls ATM Safety Auto Theft Bicycle Theft Carjacking & Car Theft Child Safety Computer Safety Credit Card Safety Emergency Phones on Campus Internet Scams & Spam Operation ID Pedestrian Safety Personal Property Inventory Residence Hall Theft Theft Prevention Workplace Violence Return to Public Safety Home
Copyright © 2005 Mount Holyoke College. This page created by Department of Public Safety and maintained by Jeanne Tripp. Last modified on May 11, 2005.
In addition to financial loss, identity theft can negatively affect your credit rating, making it more difficult to purchase a car or home, and much more.
Taking some simple steps can help you reduce your chances of becoming a victim.
Some suggestions were shared with our staff, and we now share them with you:
1. The next time you order checks have only your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your checkbook, they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name, but your bank will know how you sign your checks.
2. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put "PHOTO ID REQUIRED".
3. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the "For" line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing channels won't have access to it.
4. Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a PO Box use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, use your work address. Never have your SS# printed on your checks. You can add it if it is necessary. But if you have it printed, anyone can get it.
5. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel.
Keep the photocopy in a safe, secure place place.
6. When you check out of a hotel that uses cards for keys (and they all seem to do that now), don't turn the "keys" in. Take them with you and destroy them. Those little cards have on them all of the information you gave the hotel, including address and credit card numbers and expiration dates. Someone with a card reader, or employee of the hotel, can access all that information with no problem whatsoever.
Some other tips include:
1. When using a debit card at the ATM or to pay at a store, use your body to shield the transaction from onlookers. Don't let others see your card number or PIN number.
2. Only purchase online from reputable, secure sites.
3. Do not give out any personal information to someone you do not know and trust.
4. Do not give out account information in response to emails from known companies such as AOL or Ebay claiming your account information needs to be updated. Often these look very authentic, but the practice is known as "phishing" and is a great way to use your identity and/or charge to your credit card.
5. If you receive notification that you won a contest you never entered, beware. Unless you can verify that this was a legitimate contest, do not give out any personal information. Most are scams, or may be sales techniques for vacation properties, etc. Be sure to get the details and verify the legitimacy of any offer.
6. Cut up used cards; shred mail no longer needed that has credit card, social security number or other personally identifying information. For paperwork you retain, store it in a secure location.
7. If you are away, arrange for a trusted friend or relative to pick up your mail as soon after delivery as possible, or have your mail held by the post office.
8. Request a copy of your credit rating regularly. Most credit reporting companies allow you at least one free copy of your credit report. It is better to find an error or problem before you need to send a copy to a potential lender.
Resources
Federal Trade Commission ID Theft Pamphlet
Federal Trade Commission Consumer Facts on Identity Theft
Department of Justice Identity Theft Prevention
A Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission Accredited Agency
Crime Prevention Center Home Safety Hazard Report Form Annoying Telephone Calls ATM Safety Auto Theft Bicycle Theft Carjacking & Car Theft Child Safety Computer Safety Credit Card Safety Emergency Phones on Campus Internet Scams & Spam Operation ID Pedestrian Safety Personal Property Inventory Residence Hall Theft Theft Prevention Workplace Violence Return to Public Safety Home
Copyright © 2005 Mount Holyoke College. This page created by Department of Public Safety and maintained by Jeanne Tripp. Last modified on May 11, 2005.
