Protect your trash. Shred credit card receipts, bank statements,
medical statements and pre-approved credit card offers
Don’t carry credit cards you don’t need or your social security
card in your purse/wallet
Don’t leave your purse/wallet in your vehicle, even if out of
sight
Guard your mail from theft. Don’t put outgoing mail in your
mailbox. Take it to the post office. Replace your mailbox with a
postal approved locking mailbox, or rent a post office box
If you close a checking account, shred any unused checks
Don’t have your social security number or driver’s license
number printed on your checks
Don’t allow reorder of bank checks to be mailed to you. Have
your bank hold them for pickup
Avoid using personal information as passwords (such as mother’s
maiden name, children or pet’s names, birth dates, etc.)
Don’t give your personal information to anyone over the phone
unless you have initiated the contact
Secure personal information in your home. Be aware of what
information could be obtained by maintenance workers, cleaning
people, home healthcare workers, visitors, etc.
Get rid of pre-approved credit offers – choose to OPTOUT
Don’t order FREE credit reports on the Internet
What To Do If You Are A
Victim
Place a “fraud alert” with the three major credit bureaus.
Request a copy of your credit report
Contact the creditor and/or bank for any accounts that have been
tampered with or opened fraudulently. Close compromised accounts
and open a new account. You might also request that your personal
identification number, or PIN, be changed
Contact your local police department and make a report. You may
want to have your fingerprints taken and sent to Washington State
Patrol to “establish your identity”
If you suspect the mail was used, contact the postal inspector
or your local postmaster
Contact the Federal Trade Commission, which is the national
clearinghouse for complaints by victims of identity theft
Organize your case
