Everything a thief needs to steal your identity is on that piece of paper!
Be sure to review your credit union statements and other financial statements on a regular basis for discrepancies. Notify us or any other financial institution immediately of unauthorized transactions. Do not carry your Social Security card in your wallet or have your social security number printed on your checks. Recently issued drivers licenses no longer have your Social Security number printed on them for privacy reasons.
Order your free credit report once a year to be certain that no one has opened or applied for loans in your name @ www.annualcreditreport.com. Make sure when you enter personal information online that you are using a secure site. Know with whom you are speaking on the telephone. Reputable institutions will not call you and ask for your personal information. If you are not sure, then hang up and call the company they are claiming to be.
Shred all credit card offers, receipts, insurance forms, statements and any paperwork containing your personal information (birth date, social security number, account numbers, user name and password information, etc.). Make a habit of shredding or if you live in an area where burning is permitted, burn your documents. Protect your identity. Teach your children and grandchildren the importance of maintaining their privacy. Good credit is hard earned and worth protecting. If you are ever the victim of identity theft, you will find out, (the hard way, unfortunately) how difficult it is to re-establish your good name.
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
