Identity Theft: Tips
that will help minimize your risk.
1. Before
you reveal any personally identifying information, find out how
it will be used and if it will be shared.
2. Pay
attention to your billing cycles. Follow up with creditors
if your bills don't arrive on time.
3. Guard
your mail. Deposit outgoing mail in post office collection
boxes or at your local post office. Promptly remove mail
from your mailbox after delivery. Ensure mail is forwarded
or re-routed if you move or change your mailing address.
4. Utilize
passwords on your credit card, bank and phone accounts.
Avoid using easily available information like your mother's
maiden name, your birth date, the last four digits of your SIN
or your phone number.
5.
Minimize the identification information and number of
cards you carry.
6. Do not
give out personal information on the phone, through the mail or
over the internet unless you have initiated the contact or know
whom you're dealing with.
7. Keep
items with personal information in a safe place. An
identity thief will pick through your garbage or recycling bins.
Be sure to tear or shred receipts, copies of credit
applications, insurance forms, physician statements and credit
offers you get in the mail.
8. Give
your SIN only when absolutely necessary. Ask to use other
types of identifiers when possible.
9. Don't
carry your SIN card; leave it in a secure place.
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