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Home > Advice & Tips > Tips to Reduce Access to Your Personal Information

Tips to Reduce Access to Your Personal Information

The following tips will help to reduce the probability of your identity being stolen:

• Don't carry extra credit cards, your Social Security card, passport, or other personal identity information, except when absolutely needed.
• When you reorder checks, pick them up at the bank, rather than having then sent to your home. Only have initials and your last name put on checks. If someone takes your check book they will not know if you sign your checks or with just initials of your first name, but your bank will know.
• When you write checks to credit card accounts, never put the complete account number on the check; just the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number and anyone who might be handling your check won't have access to it.
• To reduce mail theft, install a locking mailbox or rent a post office box.
• If you live in an apartment, ask management to provide secure storage for misrouted mail. That way only the postman can access it, and not a dishonest neighbor or someone bent on stealing your identity.
• Be especially careful when moving. Put all personal information in a locked, secured container before shipping.
• Carry only one or two credit cards in your wallet. Cancel unused accounts. Reduce the number of credit cards you actively use, and carry only the minimum number necessary for your lifestyle.
• When you pay bills, do not put envelopes containing checks in your mailbox for the postman to pick up. These checks can be taken, altered and cashed by identity thieves. Checks and any other sensitive information should be sent in envelopes with security lining and mailed at the post office rather than put out for carrier pickup. Even the neighborhood drop boxes are less secure than taking this material directly to the post office for drop off.
• To limit the number of pre-approved offers of credit, remove your name from the marketing lists of Equifax, Experian and Trans Union. Pre-approved offers of credit that are thrown in the trash can be used by identity thieves to order credit cards in your name.
• Your name can be added to a computerized name deletion list used by marketers nationwide. Simply contact the Direct Marketing Association's mail preference service and telephone preference service to have you name deleted. You can do this online at the Direct Marketing Association's web site http://dmaconsumers.org/.
• Have your address removed from the phone book and reverse directories.
• Keep a list or photocopy of all credit cards, account numbers, expiration dates and customer service and fraud department telephone numbers in a secure place so you can quickly contact all creditors if you lose your cards of they are stolen. Do the same with your bank account, investment accounts and any other data that is subject to identity theft.
• Never give out your credit card number or other personal information over the telephone unless you have an existing business relationship with the company and it is you who have initiated to call.
• Order your credit report periodically from one or more of the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union) to check for inaccuracies or for the fraudulent use of your accounts.
• Always take credit card receipts with you. Never toss them in a trash container or leave them lying lose in yor car or anywhere where they might be picked up.
• Computerized hotel door keys often contain personal information about you. Take them with you when you leave and destroy them.
• Watch your mail closely when you expect new or reissued credit cards, a driver's license or other sensitive material regarding your identity or finances to arrive. Contact the issuer if materials do not arrive when expected.
• When creating passwords and PIN's don't use digits from your Social Security number, your birthday, your name, your pets name or anything else that could easily be discovered by thieves and used to access your accounts and your identity. Ask your financial institutions to add extra security protection to your accounts. Many will allow you to use an additional code when accessing your accounts. Don't use your mother's maiden name, the make of the car you drive, your street address or other such numbers. Thieves can easily obtain such information.
• Memorize all your passwords. never keep them in your wallet, purse, car or desk where you work. Keep them in a safe place in your home where only you have access. If you have a lock box keep an extra copy of all your information and passwords there also.
• Shield the keypad when using an ATM machine or while making long distance calls with a phone card. Thieves may be watching with binoculars or a video camera with a telephoto lens.
• Be especially protective of your Social Security (SS) number. Release it only when absolutely necessary. Your SS number is the key to your credit and bank accounts and is the prime target of criminals. If a business requests your SS number, ask if there is an alternative number that can be used. Question the need to have your SS number. Ask to see the policy regarding the use of SS numbers. Ask for a privacy notice.
• Do not have your SS number or driver's license number printed on your checks. Don't let anyone write your SS number onto your checks.
• Order your SS number earnings and benefits statement periodically to check for fraud.
• Each month review your credit card statements and phone bills for unauthorized use. This is especially important in the case of cellular phone bills.
• Do not throw pre-apporved credit offers or checks that can be written against your credit card or line of credit into the trash without first shredding them or tearing them into small pieces. If you tear or cut documents or credit cards, put them in the trash over aperiod of time.
• Demand that financial institutions you deal with adequately safeguard your data. Be certain that they adopt responsible information handling practices.
• Store your canceled checks in a safe place.
• Do not send confidential information via email, and do not respond to email requests for confidential data. Only place internet orders over a secure server.
• Never discuss confidential or financial information on a cellular or cordless telephone.
• Do not participate in market research, phone surveys, contests or fill in personal information on warranty cards. Send all warranty cards back to the manufacturer in a sealed envelope.
• Install a firewall on your computer to keep hackers from accessing your data via your internet connection.
• Add a password to your computer to strengthen the log-in security.
• Tell your internet access provider that your personal data is not for sale.
• Delete your name from internet online directories. They are:

  www.Four11.com

  www.Infospace.com

  www.Switchboard.com

  www.whowhere.com

Read about The Florida Bar ID Theft Assistance Program >