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Avoiding Identity Theft

Your identity is one of your most valuable assets. You can protect yourself by keeping informed and knowing at what times your identity may be exposed and how you can defend it.

There are seven items identity thieves covet most: your name, date of birth, Social Security number, driver’s license number, credit card information, bank account information, and your mother’s maiden name.

Your Social Security number is vital to cloning your identity. Never carry your card with you in your wallet or purse, or any documentation where it might be displayed.

Do not give out your Social Security number or other personal data to anyone over the phone unless you are sure they are a trustworthy business or agency.

Frequently monitoring your bank accounts will help you to detect and stop fraud. We offer online banking that provides free around-the-clock access to your accounts.

You can also avoid identity theft by reducing the number of paper transactions you make.Taking advantage of online bill payment is not only convenient, but also reduces the risk of identity theft by removing confidential information from the mail. It can also improve tracking of payments. Up to 10 percent of identity theft is caused by stolen mail or thieves going through your trash. Be sure to shred anything which may contain personal confidential information.

Never let merchants write your Social Security number on your checks. In fact, it is now illegal in many states to do so. We also recommend not having your driver’s license number or home phone number on your checks.

Be extra careful when using credit, debit, and ATM cards. This means being more aware of carrying them, tracking your purchases, and securely storing receipts.

Lastly, remember to check your credit report at least twice a year for signs of fraud. Consumers are entitled to one free credit report per year. Visit www.annualcreditreport.com for more details regarding obtaining your credit report.