Protecting Your Identity
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Play Defense
Here are the steps you can take to foil ID thieves:
- Mail bills from a secure location and don't leave mail sitting in your mailbox.
- Shred statements, documents or records that contain personal information.
- Clear wallets and purses of information you don’t need to carry with you, especially your Social Security Card.
- Detach personal identification numbers (PINs) from your credit, debit or ATM cards.
- Store valuable information in a safe place in your home.
- Use online protection such as anti-virus and anti-spyware software, as well as a firewall, and update them all regularly.
- Create unique passwords, instead of using your birth date, your mother’s maiden name or the last four digits of your Social Security number.
- Disregard emails that ask for personal information. Legitimate companies don’t make such requests, and your bank and credit card issuers already have what they need.
- Always hang up or end a phone call if you are not sure who is on the other end.