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How can I protect myself?
You can take some simple steps to protect yourself from identity thieves:
- Change your PIN and passwords frequently - at least every 3 months.
- Always protect your PIN when paying by debit card or using an ATM. Don't write down your PIN or keep it with your debit cards, in case you lose your wallet.
- If a merchant has an old credit card 'slider' machine that uses slips with a carbon copy, ask for the carbon and destroy it; to be safer, try to use another form of payment.
- Buy a shredder - A great deal of personal information can be gathered from bills and statements sitting in your blue box; shred them before you recycle. Similarly, pre-approved credit cards and offers from financial institutions and other lenders can be misused if they fall into the wrong hands; shred them (and destroy the cards) before you recycle.
- Review your statements - Always review the charges and debits that have been made to your accounts, and report anything suspicious immediately.
- Cancel your paper statements - Viewing your statement online in a password-protected secure site is safe and secure (look for the padlock icon in the bottom right corner of your screen), and means you are the only one who can view your information. An added benefit is that the information is current up-to-the-minute.
- Check your credit rating annually - You can learn about your credit history (the information credit unions, banks and other lenders use to determine your credit worthiness) from credit reporting agencies like Equifax and TransUnion. It is a good idea to request a report from both organizations to get a complete picture of your credit rating, as different companies may report to only one agency.
- Speak with someone at your credit union - Make an appointment to speak with your Branch Manager to talk about your credit history, and ask for advice on how to improve your credit rating. We can offer helpful information and simple steps that will improve your ability to borrow.
- Protect yourself from unwanted solicitations from outside sources by keeping your signature and personal information PRIVATE. Despite the temptation and allure of a "FREE" ballot draw at a home show or other venue, consider the possibilities: All you have to do is give your name and address and sign the reverse of the ballot to be entered into a draw for a fantastic door prize. However, often, in all the fine print where you sign your name, you have given a major credit card company signed authorization to do a credit check. Once the credit check is done, the company sends letters of Pre-Approved Credit to the qualifying entrants. And the mailing list they generate may be sold many times over to other marketers.
Be careful.... keep your signature private!
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