According to a brochure released this month by the Post Office, a recent Federal Trade Commission survey reported that 2% of identity theft was connected to the mail. This is scary when you consider how important credit is in our everyday lives. Therefore, implement the fifteen following tips when protecting your credit report, and you will go a long way in stopping thieves from taking your identity.
- Shred your financial documents and pre-approved credit offers.
- Never click links in emails from financial institutions since they are probably phishing sites….go to sites you know instead.
- Do not use obvious passwords for accessing financial information.
- Never give out personal information over the phone, or through mail and email. Call the number on the back of your card or on your statements instead.
- Keep your social security number at home. Never write it down or put it in your wallet.
- Keep your personal information in a safe place at home, especially if you have roommates, outside help or will be having work done on your property.
- Immediately cancel unexpected credit cards or accounts that you did not open
- Respond immediately to calls or letters regarding purchases you did not make
- Check your credit report often since any credit opened in your name will show up on your report
- Regularly examine financial statements for unauthorized charges.
- Close any accounts you believe may have been tampered with.
- Go paperless by having your bank download all your bills.
- Opt out of pre-approved credit offers. The FTC lists all the ways you can opt out.
- Get a locking mailbox.
- Carry only one or two cards at a time so that you will know instantly if one has been stolen.
If you believe your identity has been stolen, be proactive in fixing the problem. Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the three credit reporting agencies, and file a police report. By doing so, you will be able to get the debt wiped out by creditors and protect your good credit.
