Parker's Points
August 2004
This month's list comes from a colleague, Martha Carriere who is owner of Business Solutions in Wakefield, MA. Martha provides daily money management services to individuals and geriatric management services to the elderly and/or their caregivers. She also offers secretarial and bookkeeping services to small businesses. Martha spoke to my SCORE chapter on identity theft. She has provided me with two lists. This month I am publishing her top ten list to avoid identity theft personally. Next month I'll send the one she sent me for businesses.
Top 10 Ways to Avoid Identity Theft (personal)
- Keep your Social Security card in a secure place and give out the number only when necessary. Ask to use other identifiers whenever possible.
- Guard your purse or wallet. Never put either one down unless your hand is connected to it.
- Limit the number of checks and debit / credit cards you carry to only what you will actually need.
- Check credit card and bank statements carefully for unauthorized charges.
- Close credit card accounts you don't use on a regular basis.
- Shred all documents containing personal information -- especially pre-approved credit card offers -- with a cross-cut shredder.
- Before revealing any identifying information, ask how it will be used and secured, and whether it will be shared with others.
- Order copies of your free credit reports from the three credit bureaus at least once a year and check them carefully for accuracy. (See numbers below)
- Place passwords on credit card, bank and phone accounts. Avoid using easily available information such as mother's maiden name, birth date, phone number, etc. Instead use an eight-character combination of letters and numbers.
- Use a locked mailbox or a post office box to send/receive mail.
Important numbers:
Credit bureaus:
Equifax 1-800 525-6285
Experian (formerly TRW) 1-800-301-7195
Trans Union 1-800-680-7289
Social Security Administration also has a fraud line:
1-800-269-0271