IDENTIFY THEFT — A GUIDE FOR CONSUMERS

An identify thief is someone who steals your checks, your Social Security number, or other personal information, then uses your information to obtain credit in your name or to commit a crime. Most identify thieves get your information by stealing a purse or wallet, or by stealing checks or credit card information out of your mail. The identity thief is almost always a stranger. Most victims never find out how the identity thief got his or her information.

TIPS TO AVOID BECOMING A VICTIM

Do not give your Social Security number, mother's maiden name, or account numbers to strangers who contact you, especially by phone, Internet or mail.

Identity thieves sometimes pose as business, bank or government representatives to get you to reveal personal information. Legitimate financial or government organizations that do business with you already have this information and will not ask for it over the telephone.

Pay attention to what time of the month your bills arrive.
If they don't arrive on time, call the creditor to make sure an identity thief hasn't changed your billing address to keep you from discovering phony charges.

Guard your mail from theft.
Don't leave outgoing mail in your mailbox. Take it to your local post office. Promptly remove mail after it has been delivered. If you are planning to be away from home, call the U.S. Postal Service at 1-800-275-8777 to request a vacation hold.

Put passwords on your credit card, bank and phone accounts.
Avoid using easily available information like your mother's maiden name, your birth date, the last four digits of your Social Security number, your phone number or any easy series of numbers such as 1234.

Don't carry your Social Security card.
Leave it in a secure place. Give the number out only when necessary. Use other types of identification when possible.

Tear or shred personal information.
This includes charge receipts, copies of credit applications, insurance forms, physician statements, bank checks and statements, expired charge cards and credit offers you get in the mail.

Request your free annual credit report.
A recent amendment to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act allows you to obtain a free copy of your credit report from each of the major nationwide credit reporting companies, at your request, once every 12 months.

Order your free credit report by calling toll-free 1-877-322-8228, or visiting www.annualcreditreport.com.

Major Credit Bureaus

Equifax - P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374
1-800-685-1111 (Order Credit Report) 1-800-525-6285 (Report Fraud)

Experian - P.O. Box 2104, Allen, TX 75013
1-888-397-3742 (Order Credit Report) 1-888-397-3742 (Report Fraud)

Trans Union - P.O. Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022
1-800-888-4213 (Order Credit Report) 1-800-680-7289 (Report Fraud