What Can I Do To Protect Myself From Identity Theft?

  • Don´t carry your social security card around with you and don't place your social security number on your checks.
  • Use strong, unique passwords for online accounts, and do NOT use the same password for multiple accounts, especially financial accounts. If you do and one less secure site is compromised, several of your accounts may be simultaneously compromised. Use a password manager to remember your passwords.
  • Be extremely cautious about who you decide to give your personal information to and when you decide to give it.
  • Copy both sides of every important piece of information in your wallet, so if your wallet is stolen you can quickly compile all your account numbers and know which companies to call to cancel your services.
  • An easy way for thieves to get your personal information is just by simply rummaging through your garbage. Invest in a shredder and shred all documents with personal information listed on it. If you don´t know whether or not something is personal, take the time to shred it – a few minutes of shredding private documentation could save you months and possibly years of the hassle of dealing with identity theft.