Reduce the risk of identity theft
Identity theft is big news for a reason. A thief can literally buy homes and cars, get a drivers’ license, acquire insurance, obtain credit cards—everything—they can live an entire life as you.
It could be you who gets arrested, faces creditors and spending hundreds of hours explaining what has happened. Diligence is an important course of action in protecting yourself and your hard-earned reputation.
Don't leave mail in an unlocked box. Be sure to stop mail or have a friend collect it if you go away. You may cut down junk mail (lessening the risk of someone fraudulently filing pre-approved credit applications) by contacting the Direct Marketing Association at www.dmaconsumers.org and enrolling in the Mail Preference Service.
Telephone
Never give unsolicited callers information concerning your credit union accounts, social security number, drivers’ license or anything you wouldn’t tell a stranger. Don’t let sales people pressure you; politely interrupt, tell them you are not interested and hang up. You may lessen telemarketing calls by signing up for the Telephone Preference Service at the above Web site.
Documents
Shred statements and invoices you are not going to file—carelessly tossed papers are a great source of personal information. Look over junk mail. Pre-approved credit card mailings may contain information you don’t want in the wrong hands—shred them.
Receipts
Most vendors in North Carolina already do not put full credit card information on receipts. This helps keep merchants, employees and others from having access to account numbers. On December 7, 2004, federal legislation will require account numbers on receipts to be shortened or disguised. Until
