Cactus Village Community

IDENTITY THEFT Tips for avoiding ID theft

Jul 18, 2003

Consumers advocates offer the following suggestions to reduce the odds of being victimized by Identity theft:

?• Regularly order credit reports from the Big Three bureaus: Trans Union (1-800-916-8800), Equifax (1-800-685-1111) and Credit Data Southwest/Experian (602-252-6951).
?• Ask that fraud alerts be placed in your credit-report files, especially if you?’ve recently been burglarized or have other reason to suspect personal information has been compromised: Trans Union (1-800-680-7289), Equifax (1-800-525-6285), CDS/Experian (602-252-6951).
?• Don?’t give old computers to recyclers or others without removing or destroying the hard drive if you think it contains sensitive data.
?• Change passwords routinely. Don?’t use common terms like a mother?’s maiden name or pet?’s name.
?• ?“Proceed as if you think your neighbor is going through your dumpster,?” said Linda Pecanic, regional security manager at M&l Bank.
?• Make sure bank statements and various bills arrive roughly on time.
?• U Drop off outgoing mail in secure mailboxes.
?• Notify the Federal Trade Commission (1-877-IDTHEFT; www.ftc.gov) if you?’ve been victimized. The agency has a form that allows for speedy alerts to credit card companies, credit-report agencies, police departments and others. . . ☻