How can I avoid identity theft?

A few preventative measures you can take:

• Remove mail promptly from your mailbox and never use your mailbox for outgoing mail as identity thieves raid mailboxes for credit card offers and statements
• Shred all mail that you discard so that all offers, names and addresses are no longer legible
• Safeguard your Social Security number
• Do not give out your credit card number over the phone unless you initiate the transaction
• Be careful with your receipts, making sure you have them when you leave the store or ATM and do not throw them away in public trash cans
• Destroy pre-approved credit card offers before you throw them away
• Account for all new checkbooks when you receive them in the mail
• Commit all passwords and PINs to memory so they cannot be compromised
• Review your credit report from time to time

Below are the three Credit Bureaus to contact:

• Equifax: 800-685-1111 www.equifax.com
• Experian: 888-397-3742 www.experian.com
• Trans Union: 800-888-4213 www.tuc.com