Swann Estates Neighborhood Association

2008 IDENTITY THEFT-CRIME WATCH ARTICLE

Mar 07, 2008

ADVISORY RESOLUTIONS

Those dreaded post-holiday credit-card bills will soon arrive in the mail. At a time when statements contain many and varied transactions, it?’s important to keep a watchful eye for any transactions that thieves may sneak under your radar.

Here is a list of ID theft precautions in the form of a resolutions list.

Resolution 1:
I will be on the lookout for warning signs. Review credit card and bank statements regularly and thoroughly for any suspicious activity.

Never respond to unsolicited emails or phone calls asking for personal information. Beware of shoulder surfers ?— people who eavesdrop or look over shoulders in order to steal sensitive information. If possible, use an ATM in a well-lit area, preferably one with a security guard.

Resolution 2:
I will report any suspicious activity immediately. The sooner you address fraudulent activity, the less damage will be done to your credit.

Keep a registry of your cards, account numbers, expiration dates, and toll-free customer service numbers, and keep it in a safe place.

Resolution 3:
I promise to shred all my personal information.
Always retrieve your receipt from the ATM or a purchase, and don?’t throw it away in a public place where others can access it.

Keep all receipts together in a safe place while you're shopping. Be sure to shred those receipts and any other mail that contains personal information, when they are no longer needed.

Resolution 4:
I will be wary of giving personal information out online. Update your computer's virus detection software regularly.

Use a secure browser. When you're submitting information, look for the "lock" icon on the status bar. Make sure you shop on sites that start with https and not http - the "s" means the site is secure.