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Protecting Your Identity
General Computer Security Tips for Protecting Your Identity while Online
- Maintain and run updated virus, firewall, browser, spyware, and security software on your computer. Review your Internet and email software's security settings.
- Be cautious about opening email attachments from unknown parties or downloading files from unverified locations. Many of these files contain spyware or key-logging programs that can send information back to a malicious site.
- Beware of using non-encrypted wireless connections with computers, phones, and portable devices to send sensitive information from public wireless locations or even from home wireless networks. Using scanning devices, individuals can intercept unencrypted signals and view or obtain your information.
- Beware of "shoulder surfers" while using a computer in public areas who may be trying to intercept your passwords or information.
- Use strong passwords with a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Change passwords periodically, and always change pre-assigned temporary passwords. When creating PINs and passwords, do not use birth dates, addresses, phone numbers, etc. that are easily guessed from personal information.
- Never use the "save ID and password" option in your browser at home, or on a laptop or public computer.
- Do not email personal and financial information to non-secure sites. Because of the potential for loss, avoid storing personal information on a laptop computer.
- Properly dispose of old computers and ensure all sensitive information is removed from the hard drive. Reformatting the hard drive may not be sufficient. Use specialized software to erase information.
Tips for Protecting Your Information Offline
- Don't give out financial or personal information online or on the phone unless you initiated the contact and know the party with whom you're dealing.
- Safeguard ATM, credit and debit cards. Only carry cards you use. Report lost or stolen cards or checks immediately.
- Memorize personal identification numbers (PINs) and passwords. Never write them on access cards or store them where they can easily be found, such as in wallets, purses, and desks or on computers.
- Destroy unnecessary financial documents by using a crosscut shredder, including old bank statements, invoices and unwanted pre-approved credit and other financial offers.
- Promptly retrieve incoming mail, or get a Post Office box or locking mailbox. Don't put outgoing mail in your residential mailbox, where thieves could get your personal and financial information.
- If regular bills or statements stop reaching you, take action. Call the company's customer service number. Someone may have filed a change-of-address form to divert your mail.
- Review account statements promptly and match credit card receipts. Don't ignore suspicious charges. If doubtful or unauthorized charges appear on your bills or statements, call immediately to resolve the discrepancy.
- Keep personal information off your checks. Never preprint your driver's license or Social Security number on your checks. Remove your Social Security number from your driver's license.
- Beware of incoming phone calls from "imposters" that ask you to disclose information by pretending to be fraud investigators or customer service agents calling with an urgent problem about your account. One fraud involves imposters asking only for the three-digit code on the back of your credit card to verify possession. When in doubt as to a caller's identity, always ask to call back at what you know to be a valid customer service number. Review your credit report periodically.
Check Your Credit Report
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months. The three nationwide consumer reporting companies have set up a central website and a toll-free telephone number through which you can order your free annual report. To order, go to annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228. They have requested you do not contact them directly as they will not be able to process your request.
Other Online Resources
For additional information about account fraud and identity theft, you can visit these websites:
Federal Trade Commission: www.consumer.gov/idtheft/
Identity Theft Resource Center: www.idtheftcenter.org
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