2008 Woodie Awards
SECU has put together a list of simple ways to help you protect yourself this season
SECU Credit Union
Issue date: 12/5/07 Section: Money & Power
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-Do not carry your Social Security card or Social Security Number.
-During the holidays, avoid carrying a checkbook; instead use a debit card to make purchases.
-Shred all financial documents before throwing them away, including pre-approved credit offers. Before the holidays, these offers may increase, so shred any unwanted solicitations immediately. Also, tear off your address from catalogues before you recycle them.
-Be on the lookout for lottery or contest scams that claim you are an "instant winner."
-Be aware of phone calls soliciting personal information. If you think you need to give out this information, hang up, look up the number of the organization and call them back.
-Cancel paper bank and credit card statements and use online banking and statements as much as possible. In cases where the method of identity theft was known, 79% of information was obtained offline versus only 11% obtained online, according to Card Services for Credit Unions.
-Secure sensitive information in a locked location in your home or dorm room.
-Never keep all of your info in your purse or wallet. Photocopy the important contents, and store them in a safe place.
-Guard all personal information while in crowded stores and malls. Pickpocket scam artists rely on crowds.
For more relevant tips about ID theft protection, visit www.ftc.gov.
-During the holidays, avoid carrying a checkbook; instead use a debit card to make purchases.
-Shred all financial documents before throwing them away, including pre-approved credit offers. Before the holidays, these offers may increase, so shred any unwanted solicitations immediately. Also, tear off your address from catalogues before you recycle them.
-Be on the lookout for lottery or contest scams that claim you are an "instant winner."
-Be aware of phone calls soliciting personal information. If you think you need to give out this information, hang up, look up the number of the organization and call them back.
-Cancel paper bank and credit card statements and use online banking and statements as much as possible. In cases where the method of identity theft was known, 79% of information was obtained offline versus only 11% obtained online, according to Card Services for Credit Unions.
-Secure sensitive information in a locked location in your home or dorm room.
-Never keep all of your info in your purse or wallet. Photocopy the important contents, and store them in a safe place.
-Guard all personal information while in crowded stores and malls. Pickpocket scam artists rely on crowds.
For more relevant tips about ID theft protection, visit www.ftc.gov.
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