Protect Yourself From Identity Theft

More than 7 million people were victims of identity theft last year, an increase of 80% over the previous year¹. Identity theft occurs when your personal information, such as your name, address, birth date or social security number is used to commit fraud. An identity thief uses your personal information to open new accounts, take over existing accounts, purchase automobiles, apply for loans, credit cards and social security benefits or establish rental and utility accounts. Often you may not know that you're a victim of identity theft until it's too late - you may want to buy a house or car and your loan application is denied!


While you may not prevent identity theft from happening, you take steps to protect yourself and reduce your chances of becoming a victim.

• Report all lost or stolen credit cards immediately.
• Promptly remove mail from your mailbox after delivery and deposit outgoing mail in postal mailboxes.
• Protect your personal information including social security number and passwords.
• Never give personal information over the telephone.
• Shred pre-approved credit applications, credit card receipts and other financial information.
• Never leave receipts at ATMs, public trash receptacles or gas pumps.
• Sign new credit cards immediately upon receipt and save receipts to match them against your monthly bills.
• If you do not receive your routine financial statements or your new or replacement credit cards in the mail, contact the sender.
• Notify credit card companies and financial institutions in advance for change of address or phone number.
• When you subscribe to an online service and provide credit card information, beware of anyone who may ask you to "confirm" your enrollment service by disclosing passwords or credit account numbers. 
• Take advantage of enhanced security with MasterCard’s SecureCode when making online purchases with your MasterMoney Debit Card.
  

If you become a victim of identity theft, you will need to:

• Contact your creditors by phone and in writing to flag your accounts and request that you be contacted to confirm any unusual activity. Request a change of PIN and a new password.
• Call your nearest U.S. Postal Inspection Service office and local police.
• Contact the Federal Trade Commission at 877-IDTHEFT to report the problem.
•  Call each of the three credit bureaus’ fraud units to report identity theft. Ask to have a Fraud Alert/Victim Impact statement placed on your credit file that requires creditors to call you before opening a new account.
• Contact the Social Security Administration's Fraud Hotline at 800-269-0271.
• Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles to see if another license was issued in your name. If so, request a new license number and file a complaint form to begin the fraud investigation process.
• Keep a log of all your contacts and make copies of all documents. 
  
  It's always a good idea to request your credit reports from the three credit bureaus each year to check for fraudulent activity or discrepancies. To report identity theft and order your credit reports, contact all of the following credit bureaus.
  
  Equifax Credit Bureau 800.525.6285
  Experian Information Solutions 888.397.3742
  TransUnion Credit Bureau, Fraud 800.680.7289
  
  
  ¹ Gartner Research and Harris Interactive, July 2003