Introduction
Methods
Prevention
Recovery
Statistics
FAQ
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Prevention Techniques
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"A person's credit report is one of the most important tools consumers can use to maintain their financial security and credit rating, but for so long many did not know how to obtain one, or what to do with the information it provided."
-Ruben Hinojosa
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Techniques:
- Regularly request and review your credit reports from all 3 major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
Individuals in the U.S. are entitled to one free credit file disclosure (credit report) every 12 months.
To get a free credit report visit Annual Credit Report.
- Buy and use a paper shredder when disposing of sensitive material such as credit card offers, bank statements, old bills, and online shopping receipts. A quick internet search returned crosscut paper shredders as inexpensive as $20.00 USD. This cost and effort to shred documents is trivial compared to the resources needed in identity recovery.
- Be suspicious of anyone requesting personal information. Question the need for your personal information, and verify the identity of the person requesting the information.
- Never share your Social Security Number or other sensitive information by email. Even if the person requesting the information is valid, email is not a secure method of sharing the information.
- Avoid carrying your Social Security Number or government identification number in your wallet or purse.
- Never share online passwords that protect sensitive information.
- Use various, complex passwords to protect online sensitive information.
- Never leave personal information unattended on a computer screen or desk.
- Be alert to individuals around you when reviewing personal information or using ATMs.
- Use multiple accounts for distinct transactions. For example, only use one specific credit card for restaurant dining and small purchases. Use another dedicated card for online shopping. This can make tracking the source of information theft easier.
- Make copies of all important personal items in wallets and purses. Store the copies in a secure location. Do this to ensure you have any important information that may be printed on the original documents.
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Remove your name from mail marketing lists, telemarketer lists, and pre-approved credit lists.
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