Personal privacy may be the biggest oxymoron of the 21st century. From annoying streams of email to the more costly crime of identity theft, Americans are facing an attack on their personal privacy unlike that seen by any prior generation.

Shielding your privacy with no risk of a breakdown may be impossible these days. But it’s critical to understand how your privacy can be compromised and the consequences of such a breach. Taking a few simple steps will better the odds in your favor.

This rather broad topic takes in any number of privacy crimes, including theft of a Social Security number, a credit or debit card, or even pilfering of phone calling cards. Officials say much of identity theft comes down to hands-on mischief-things like “Dumpster Diving”, in which criminals sift through trash to find a credit card statement or solicitation the someone didn’t tear up, and “shoulder surfing”, where criminals try to spot calling card and PIN numbers. Officials also acknowledge that the Internet has opened new avenues for theft.

Simple Ways to Protect Yourself

There’s no ironclad protection that guarantees that you’ll never fall victim to some form of identity theft. But there are some simple steps you can take to shield your privacy:

• Shred mail, pre-approved credit offers, and any documents that have your ID on them. Remove your name from any marketing lists.
• Order a copy of your credit report every 6 to 12 months so you are aware of what’s on it.
• Cancel and monitor credit card and bank statements. If no activity for the past 6 months close them. When you close them get verification of closing in writing.
• DO NOT carry extra cards you do not need. Don’t carry anything that might help a criminal. (ex. social security card)
• DO NOT leave sensitive mail for postal carriers to pick up. Checks can be altered. Take the mail yourself.
• Never leave ATM or gas receipts behind.
• When someone asks for information ask him or her why he or she need to know.
• When making an online purchase, look in the lower right hand corner of your browser window. If you see an icon of a lock, that means you are dealing with a secure sight. If you don’t see one, you’ll be safer finding another merchant. Also, check out web-site privacy policies. Stay away from ones that don’t specifically state that they won’t pass your name and information around.

What to do if identity theft happens to you:

Protecting yourself from security fraud is no sure thing. But there is plenty you can do if you uncover some wrong doing:

• Call all 3 credit card companies fraud unit

• Equifax

  Order A Report		Report a Fraud
  Call:	1-800-685-1111	Call:	1-800-525-6285
  Write:	PO Box 740241 Atlanta GA 30374-0241	Write:	PO Box 740241 Atlanta GA 30374-0241

  
  
• Experian
  
  

  Order A Report		Report a Fraud
  Call:	1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)	Call:	1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
  Write:	PO Box 2104 Allen, TX 75013	Write:	PO Box 9532 Allen, TX 75013

  
  
• TransUnion
  
  

  Order A Report		Report a Fraud
  Call:	1-800-916-8800	Call:	1-800-680-7289
  Write:	PO Box 1000 Chester, PA 19022	Write:	PO Box 6790 Fullerton, CA 92634

  
  
• Contact your credit card issuers. Get replacement cards with new account numbers. Have credit report companies notified to say, “Account closed at consumer's request." Contact your credit card issuers. Get replacement cards with new account numbers.
• Monitor future credit card statement because it could happen again.
• Report the crime to local police and the secret service. Get a copy of the police report.
• Notify the credit union of the theft. Get new accounts, cards, and passwords.
• Keep records of everything involved in your efforts to clear up the fraud, including copies of written correspondence and records of telephone calls.

For more information, go to www.consumer.gov/idtheft
Protect yourself and your personal information

If you have any questions please e-mail us!