Steps that you can take to help minimize your risk of being a victim of identity theft.

General Actions

• Request a copy of your free credit report yearly from each of the three credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion).

• Place a security freeze on your credit report for each of the three credit bureaus.

Experian
Equifax
TransUnion

• If either your social security number or drivers license number is printed on your checks get new checks printed and a new drivers license number.
   
• Use a cross-cut shredder to destroy all documents that you receive in the mail related to any accounts, personal information, or requests to open new accounts.

• Call 1-888-5OPT-OUT to be removed from most pre-approved credit card solicitation lists.
   
• Do not leave checks (or other personal documents) in your mailbox for the mail carrier to pick up. Drop them off at a mail box or the post office.

• Collect your mail from the mailbox as soon as practical or get a locking mailbox (if allowed by your Home Owners Association).
   
• Review your credit card statements every month.

• Switch to paperless billing where available.
   
• Keep your bags and purses zippered!
   
• Carry only mandatory ID cards and credit cards; leave the rest at home.
   
• Do not carry your birth certificate, Social Security card, and passport on a daily basis.

Computer and Online Related Actions

• Never click on a link within an email to visit a website (even if you think it is from your bank!). Instead, go directly to the website by typing in the web address yourself.
  Better yet, bookmark all of your frequently used web sites to your favorites list.

• Only open email attachments if you are expecting the attachments.

• Delete all unknown emails without opening them. Just the act of opening the SPAM emails sends a message that your email is valid and your address will be sold as a valid email address to SPAM in the future.

• Only open email if you know the sender.

• If possible, only shop at reputable online stores and make sure the connection is secure (look for the lock icon at the bottom of the screen, not in the webpage itself, and double-click it to verify the certificate matches the site you are expecting to be on).
   
• Use anti-virus and anti-spyware software. Set them to automatically update and scan.
   
• Set your operating system software to automatically update with the latest patches.
   
• Install or enable a PC firewall.
   
• Encrypt personally identifiable information or other sensitive information. A free option is TrueCrypt.

Donating and Recycling

The process of deleting files is not enough. Ensure all sensitive information is removed.

• A free option for Windows based computers is Eraser.

• For other operating systems, see Darik's Boot and Nuke (DBAN).
   
• To remove sensitive information from a mobile phone, visit the manufacturer’s website for instructions. Additionally, specific model information may be found at ReCellular Wireless Recycling.

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