Protecting Your Financial Identity

Spotting an Imposter

The Federal Trade Commission provides information on ways to identify imposters and scammers.

Click the Learn More button to view the FTC's article, Scammers Use Fake Emergencies to Steal Your Money.

Learn More

Simple Steps to Protect Yourself

1. Order copies of your credit report once a year to ensure they are accurate.

You can call each of the three national credit-reporting agencies because each may contain different aspects of your credit history, or you can contact the Annual Credit Report Service for one free credit report each year.

2. Keep an eye on your accounts throughout the year by reading your monthly/periodic statements thoroughly.

Check that all of the activity in your accounts was initiated by you.

3. Tear up or shred pre-approved credit offers, receipts and other personal information that link your name to account numbers.

Don’t leave your ATM or credit card receipt in public trash cans. Crooks have gone through trash to get account numbers and information to get credit in your name.

4. Know your billing cycles, and take action if you think mail is missing.

Follow up with creditors if bills or new cards do not arrive on time. An identity thief may have filed a change of address request in your name with the creditor or the Post Office.

5. When you pay bills, don’t put them in your mailbox with the red flag up.

That’s a flashing neon light telling crooks to grab your information. Use a locked mailbox or the Post Office.

6. Protect your account information.

Don’t write your personal identification number (PIN) on your ATM or debit card. Don’t write your social security number or credit card account number on a check. Cover your hand when you are entering your PIN number at an ATM.

7. Don’t carry your Social Security card, passport or birth certificate unless you need it that day.

Take all but one or two credit cards out of your wallet, and keep a list at home of your account information and customer service telephone numbers. That way, if your wallet is lost or stolen, you’ll only have to notify a few of your creditors and the information will be handy.

8. Never provide personal or credit card information over the phone, unless you initiated the call.

Crooks are known to call with news that you’ve won a prize and all they need is your credit card number for verification. Don’t fall for it. Remember the old saying, “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

Take Action if You are a Victim

1. Call your local police department.

Financial fraud is a crime.

2. Contact the fraud units of all three credit bureaus.

Ask them to “flag” your account, which tells creditors that you are a victim of identity fraud. Also, add a victim’s statement to each of your credit bureau reports that asks creditors to contact you in person to verify all applications made in your name.

Call the fraud units of the credit bureaus:

3. Call the Federal Trade Commission’s ID Theft hotline at 1-877-IDTHEFT.

The hotline is staffed by counselors trained to help ID theft victims. Check out the FTC Web site, which includes an Identity Theft Affidavit to help simplify the process of clearing up accounts opened by an identity thief.

4. Notify your banks.

They can help you obtain new account numbers for all of your checking, savings and other accounts. Be sure to pick a new PIN number for your ATM and debit cards. Close all of your credit card accounts and open with new account numbers.

5. Notify the Postal Inspector if you suspect mail theft, which is a felony.

6. Contact the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Depending on your situation, you may need a new Social Security number. The SSA’s telephone number is 1-800-772-1213. You also may want to contact your telephone, long distance, water, gas and electric companies to alert them that someone may try to open an account in your name.

7. Maintain a log of all the contacts you make with authorities regarding the matter.

Write down each person’s name, title, and phone number in case you need to re-contact them or refer to them in future correspondence.

© Copyright 2006 American Bankers Association, 1120 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036. All rights reserved.

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