Tips to Protect Your Identity

With identity theft and other white-collar crimes gaining attention, many companies are offering a wide variety of products to help with Fraud and Theft Protection. These are valuable services and depending on the level of protection and guarantees involved, they could be come expensive.

It is important to protect your good name. It can save you thousands of dollars in fees and fraudulent charges. There are some ways to protect your self and your business from these crimes.

Here are some ways to protect your identity:

1. Safeguard your Social Security Number. Know your number, but don’t carry your card with you.
2. Be careful with information over the phone. Phishing scams often use the telephone posing as your bank to get vital information. If you bank is calling, they should have it. This also occurs via email. When in doubt, ask for a number and call them back. Clever schemes will clone a number similar to your banks number to fool caller id.
3. Shred Private Information: Watch out what you throw away. Make sure you shred bank statements or anything that may contain valuable information. If you are looking to protect your business, shredding services are available in most areas.
4. Protect your Mail: Pick up mail promptly. If you are going to be away, have it held at the post office.
5. Reconcile bank accounts and audit credit card bills. This is a first line of defense in detecting problems. If you have a bookkeeper, audit their work as well.
6. Check your credit report. Periodically run your credit to make sure you don’t have accounts that you are unaware of.
7.  End Free Credit Offers. Junk mail left in your mailbox or thrown out can be used by thieves to steal your identity. You may opt out of these offers by calling 888-567-8688. This will allow you to remove your name from credit bureau marketing lists.
8. Ask questions. If someone is asking you questions that don’t seem pertinent to the transaction, stoop and ask why they need this information and how they will use it. Also ask about the privacy policy and how to opt out if necessary.
9. Protect your passwords. Use passwords that are unique and not easily guessed. Don’t leave t hem on a post-it note on the computer screen. Don’t share them with co-workers either. This will protect you from harm and them from false accusation.

 There are many other ways to protect your identity and other valuable information. Many times your bank will have a program that will help you protect your accounts and other information. Email me at JKlassen@mtb.com for more information about this important subject or programs offered by M&T Bank. Additional information can be found on line at http://www.ftc.gov. You can also download their brochure by clicking here.