Tips for Avoiding Identity Theft

Holiday shoppers can reduce the chances of becoming an identity theft victim this year by taking some simple preventative measures.

Shoppers are tired, stores are crowded and it’s easy to become less guarded about personal information that appears on personal checks, drivers licenses and credit cards. Thieves can take information from identifying documents and use them to impersonate a victim, steal from bank accounts, establish phony insurance policies, or open unauthorized credit card accounts.

While many identity theft schemes rely on credit card data, there are other ways of accessing a victim’s information. Some employ electronic means such as online “phishing” scams—where thieves use email inquiries purporting to be from financial or other online organizations seeking sensitive account information. And the advent of “no-swipe” credit cards, which transmit account and user information through a radio frequency, makes it possible for identity thieves to use an electronic device to capture the information. And there are, of course, still the old-fashioned methods, such as “dumpster diving”—rooting around in people’s garbage to collect financial information.

To help protect your identity this holiday season, the I.I.I. has the following tips:

• Keep the amount of personal information in your purse or wallet to the bare minimum. Avoid carrying additional credit cards, your social security card or passport unless absolutely necessary.

• Guard your credit card when making purchases. Use your hand as a shield when using ATM machines or making long distance phone calls with phone cards.

• Always take credit card or ATM receipts. Do not throw receipts into public trash containers, leave them on the counter or put them in your shopping bag where they can easily fall out or get stolen.

• Proceed with caution when shopping online. Make sure that you are buying from a reputable retailer with a secure network.

• Monitor your accounts. Do not rely on your credit card company or bank to alert you of suspicious activity. Carefully monitor your bank and credit card statements to make sure all transactions are accurate. If you suspect a problem, contact your credit card company or bank immediately.

• Order a copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus. A law that took effect in 2004 entitles you to one free credit report per year. Make sure it is accurate and includes only those activities you have authorized. The three major credit bureaus are Equifax, TransUnion and Experian.

• Place passwords on your credit card, bank and phone accounts. Avoid using easily available information like your mother’s maiden name, your birth date, any part of your social security number or phone number, or any series of consecutive numbers.

• Do not give out personal information. Whether on the phone, through the mail or over the Internet, do not divulge sensitive information or your social security number unless you initiated the contact, are familiar with the person or company and are confident that they have a secure line.

Shred, shred, shred. Tear or shred any documents that contain personal information such as credit card numbers, bank statements, charge receipts or credit card applications, before disposing of them