Identity theft is a growing problem across the country. People everyday are being defrauded by others who wrongfully use their personal information for financial or material gain. Unlike your fingerprints or DNA, which is unique to you and you alone, your birth date, social security number, and financial account numbers can be duplicated and used by others.

A criminal will use your private information to incur debt and destroy your credit; and all at your expense. He will enjoy his spoils while you have to battle to repair the damage, which can be time consuming and costly. For this reason, it is crucial that you take the necessary steps to keep from becoming a victim of identity theft or fraud.

• Treat all of your personal information as a need to know only basis.
• Keep your birth certificate, credit cards, bank cards, checkbooks, bank statements, and other sensitive information locked in a safe, or a safety deposit box.
• When leaving home, take only the credit cards that you need. Leave the rest at home
• Don’t let people look over your shoulder while viewing sensitive financial or personal information.
• When choosing a Personal Identification Number (PIN) for your financial card(s), don't use an obvious ones like birthdays, make them unique. Do not write PIN's down or tell them to anyone.
• Stand close to the keypad (or cover your hand) when you enter your PIN number so that no one can see it.
• Never give anyone your credit card or bank account numbers unless you’re confident that you are dealing with a reputable company.
• When making a purchase, never take your eyes off the card. Make sure it is not imprinted or swiped more than once, and be sure to get your card back before you leave the register.
• Do not discard your financial card receipts in a public receptacle. Some receipts have all but the last four card numbers masked, but not all.
• Compare your monthly financial statements against all receipts.
• Purchase a shredder to destroy all personal and financial information; people dumpster-dive.
• If your credit card or checkbook is lost or stolen, report it to the financial institution immediately.
• When on vacation have a reputable friend or neighbor pick up your mail, or you can stop it at the post office.
• Obtain a credit report from all three credit bureaus every so often and review them well.
• Beware of phone or internet scams asking you to verify a credit card number or other personal information. No one should need to ask you for this information. If you think the call may be legitimate, hang up and look up the phone number to the company from the phone book. Ask for the fraud department and verify that it is not a scam.
• Shred all pre-approved credit applications that you receive.

If you have become the victim of identity theft:

• Make a police report.
• Contact all of your creditors and banks.
• Report the incident to the Social Security Administration.
• Contact the Federal Trade Commission.
• Contact your state driver’s license bureau and local post office.
• Keep a log of all of your contacts.

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The three principal credit reporting companies:

Equifax:

1. To report fraud, call (800) 525-6285 or write to P.O. Box 740250, Atlanta, GA 30374-0250.
2. To order a copy of your credit report ($8 in most states), write to P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241, or call (800) 685-1111.
3. To dispute information in your report, call the phone number provided on your credit report.
4. To opt out of pre-approved offers of credit, call (888) 567-8688 or write to Equifax Options, P.O. Box 740123, Atlanta GA 30374-0123.

Experian (formerly TRW):

1. To report fraud, call (888) EXPERIAN or (888) 397-3742, fax to (800) 301-7196, or write to P.O. Box 1017, Allen, TX 75013.
2. To order a copy of your credit report ($8 in most states): P.O. Box 2104, Allen TX 75013, or call (888) EXPERIAN.
3. To dispute information in your report, call the phone number provided on your credit report.
4. To opt out of pre-approved offers of credit and marketing lists, call (800) 353-0809 or (888) 5OPTOUT or write to P.O. Box 919, Allen, TX 75013.

Trans Union:

1. To report fraud, call (800) 680-7289 or write to P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92634.
2. To order a copy of your credit report ($8 in most states), write to P.O. Box 390, Springfield, PA 19064 or call: (800) 888-4213.
3. To dispute information in your report, call the phone number provided on your credit report.
4. To opt out of pre-approved offers of credit and marketing lists, call (800) 680-7293 or (888) 5OPTOUT or write to P.O. Box 97328, Jackson, MS 39238.