Your Identity Belongs to You. Some Suggestions From Fox Insurance Agency to Help Protect It.
Today, identity theft is a problem facing all of us. It is critical that we be on guard and take appropriate measures to protect our identity from being stolen by others. One smart and effective way to protect yourself against identity theft is to prevent it. If your identity is stolen, you’ll be able to lessen problems by acting quickly, whether you live in Oregon and Washington, or elsewhere. Here are some suggestions to help protect against identity theft.
Start with Good Habits
- Print out a copy of this page and store it in a convenient place
- Leave your Social Security card at home in a safe place
- Shred papers with personal information
- Reduce your credit card accounts, and only carry the cards you need
- Write checks with a permanent pen, and mail from a secure place
- Photocopy both sides of your credit cards and store safely
Watch Your Accounts Closely
- Review balances and transactions often by phone or online
- Make sure every transaction on your credit card statements is accurate
- Take advantage of free credit reports and watch for unusual activity
- Sign up with Experian, Transunion, and Equifax and stagger your requests to get a free credit report every four months or sign up for credit watch services which will report directly to you for a fee
Fill Out the FTC Affidavit Quickly
- The FTC Theft Affidavit supplies proof that you didn’t authorize any accounts opened or debts run up by the identity thief
- New accounts need this FTC affidavit form to investigate the fraud and process your claim
- Call your existing accounts for instructions on disputing unauthorized charges as other forms may be needed
- Keep originals of the affidavit, and all supporting materials such as driver’s license or police report. Send copies only.
- Send quickly – many creditors request that you send the affidavit within two weeks
Keep This Information Handy
Federal Trade Commission ID Theft Line and websites:
1-877-438-4338
www.consumer.gov/idtheft
www.ftc.gov
Social Security Administration Fraud Line: 1-800-269-0271
Credit Reporting Agencies
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
www.equifax.com