What Military Families Can Do To Prevent Identity Theft
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), annually up to 9 million Americans become an identity theft victim. Although no program or safeguarding measures can completely eliminate the risk of becoming an identity theft victim, taking a proactive stance is by far the single best approach to help prevent identity theft.
How To Prevent Identity Theft
1. Prior to deploying, place an “active duty” alert on your credit report.
2. Destroy all financial documents, military-related paperwork, junk mail and preapproved credit card offers before tossing them into the trash.
3. Think twice before clicking links in commercial or unsolicited e-mails. As a general rule, PayPal, Amazon and most banks will not use a generic opening such as, "Dear PayPal User…" when e-mailing you.
Legitimate e-mails from such companies will use your name in the opening, and even then, a healthy dose of skepticism on your part is wise. Instead of clicking the link, open a new browser window and manually type in the company's URL. Once at the site, log into your account and verify the reason for their inquiry. The same principle of caution applies when shopping online. Manually access the site and make sure it's secured before providing your credit card and contact information.
4. Safeguard your social security number. Avoid giving out your social security number unless it’s absolutely necessary. As an added precaution, don’t carry your social security card in your wallet or have the number printed on your checks (as was customary years ago).
5. Never, under any circumstance, provide your social security number, name, address, birth date or credit card account numbers to anyone that phones you. If someone calls and requests this information or wants to discuss your account, take their name and number and call the company back after you’ve verified the number.
For example, if you receive a call from a credit card company or financial institution inquiring about suspicious activity on your account, do not approve or decline the charge, or give out your personal information. Instead, make note of the information then call the toll free number on the back of your card and speak with a customer service representative. He or she will be able to answer your questions or connect you with the department that initiated the call.
6. If you use checks to pay a credit card bill, don't write the full account number in the memo section. Instead, simply list the last four digits of the account number.
7. Keep your driver’s license and military ID in a safe place at all times. If either items are lost or stolen immediately notify DMV and/or your military installation.
8. Many commissaries have implemented a new program of scanning checks and then handing it back to the customer. If your commissary has this policy, don't cram the check and receipt into a shopping bag. Instead, place the check in your wallet or a secured pocket.
9. Consider having an unlisted phone number. If that’s not an option, opt to have the first letter of your first name printed in the directory.
10. Place fraud alerts on your credit report. By doing so, creditors must follow a certain set of procedures before issuing credit in your name. You may do this by calling Equifax at 1-800-525-6285; Experian at 1-888-397-3742; or TransUnion at 1-800-680-7289.
Maintain Vigilance
Don't become lax and make the mistake of harboring a false sense of security simply because you've taken precautionary measures to protect your identity. Again, it bears repeating. No matter what steps you take to prevent identity theft, no safeguarding measures are absolutely foolproof.
Be vigilant. Monitor your credit reports and make protecting your personal information a part of your everyday life.
How To Prevent Identity Theft
1. Prior to deploying, place an “active duty” alert on your credit report.
2. Destroy all financial documents, military-related paperwork, junk mail and preapproved credit card offers before tossing them into the trash.
3. Think twice before clicking links in commercial or unsolicited e-mails. As a general rule, PayPal, Amazon and most banks will not use a generic opening such as, "Dear PayPal User…" when e-mailing you.
Legitimate e-mails from such companies will use your name in the opening, and even then, a healthy dose of skepticism on your part is wise. Instead of clicking the link, open a new browser window and manually type in the company's URL. Once at the site, log into your account and verify the reason for their inquiry. The same principle of caution applies when shopping online. Manually access the site and make sure it's secured before providing your credit card and contact information.
4. Safeguard your social security number. Avoid giving out your social security number unless it’s absolutely necessary. As an added precaution, don’t carry your social security card in your wallet or have the number printed on your checks (as was customary years ago).
5. Never, under any circumstance, provide your social security number, name, address, birth date or credit card account numbers to anyone that phones you. If someone calls and requests this information or wants to discuss your account, take their name and number and call the company back after you’ve verified the number.
For example, if you receive a call from a credit card company or financial institution inquiring about suspicious activity on your account, do not approve or decline the charge, or give out your personal information. Instead, make note of the information then call the toll free number on the back of your card and speak with a customer service representative. He or she will be able to answer your questions or connect you with the department that initiated the call.
6. If you use checks to pay a credit card bill, don't write the full account number in the memo section. Instead, simply list the last four digits of the account number.
7. Keep your driver’s license and military ID in a safe place at all times. If either items are lost or stolen immediately notify DMV and/or your military installation.
8. Many commissaries have implemented a new program of scanning checks and then handing it back to the customer. If your commissary has this policy, don't cram the check and receipt into a shopping bag. Instead, place the check in your wallet or a secured pocket.
9. Consider having an unlisted phone number. If that’s not an option, opt to have the first letter of your first name printed in the directory.
10. Place fraud alerts on your credit report. By doing so, creditors must follow a certain set of procedures before issuing credit in your name. You may do this by calling Equifax at 1-800-525-6285; Experian at 1-888-397-3742; or TransUnion at 1-800-680-7289.
Maintain Vigilance
Don't become lax and make the mistake of harboring a false sense of security simply because you've taken precautionary measures to protect your identity. Again, it bears repeating. No matter what steps you take to prevent identity theft, no safeguarding measures are absolutely foolproof.
Be vigilant. Monitor your credit reports and make protecting your personal information a part of your everyday life.
