Crime Prevention Tips

Protect Your Identify

According to CUNA mutual group, one out of four people in the United States has had their identity stolen. With the wealth of information available to everyone these days, identity theft has become a growing concern.

• Never reveal any personally identifying information on the phone, through the mail or over the Internet unless you have initiated the contact or know whom you are dealing with.
• 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 SSN or your phone number, or a series of consecutive numbers.
• Guard your mail from theft. Deposit outgoing mail in post office collection boxes or at your local post office. Remove mail from your mailbox after it has been delivered.
• Pay attention to your billing cycles. Follow up with creditors if your bills do not arrive on time.
• Never write your PIN on your ATM or long distance calling card, or on a piece of paper in your wallet. Memorize it instead.
• When using the ATM machine, always position your body so that observers are prevented from seeing your PIN. Remove the cash immediately, along with your card and receipt. Take it to an isolated area where you are safe to count your cash.
• Never leave your receipt in the ATM machine. People can use it to access your account number.
• Never give out your credit card number unless it is for a reservation or purchase you have initiated.
• Destroy all carbons and keep all charge slips in a safe place.
• Report any lost or stolen cards immediately.
• Monitor your child's use of the Internet. There are sites that will make inquiries regarding everything from your child's age to your spending habits, and your child may unknowingly give away that information.
• Always use a secure browser that will encrypt or scramble purchase information when you shop online. If you do not have these capabilities, consider calling the company, faxing your order, or paying with a check.
• If an online situation seems at all unsafe, leave the site immediately, and teach your child to do the same.

Sources:

The National Crime Prevention Council

The Federal Trade Commission

The Los Angeles Police Department

The Polly Klaas Foundation