Money Smart Week: Identity Theft

Below are some tips to help protect yourself from identity theft:

Order your free credit reports every year.
To request your reports, write to:  Annual Credit Report Request Service
PO Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
Or call toll free 1 (877) 332-8228
Or go online to Annual Credit Report

Shred personal papers, receipts and junk mail.

Opt-out of prescreened credit card offers.
To opt-out call toll free 1 (888) 567-8688
Or go online to Opt Out Prescreen

Read credit card and bank statements immediately. Keep a record of all account numbers.

Guard your social security number, other personal information and credit card numbers.

• Do not provide personal information to any caller or respond to email unless you have initiated the transaction.
• Do not reveal personal information on public phones or cell phones.
• For online purchases, be sure the lock or key icon on your browsers's screen is whole.