Security Tips to Protect Your Identity

• When ordering personal checks, have your first initials and last name put on the checks.
• Use your work phone number on your checks.
• Use a P.O.Box number or your work address on your checks.
• NEVER have your Social Security number put on your checks.
• When asked for your Social Security number, question the need for your number and if it is truly important to the transaction. Do not give out this number unnecessarily.
• When paying credit card bills, do not put full account number of your card on the check but only the last four digits.
• Protect the contents of your wallet by photocopying each credit card, your driver’s license and any other cards that have personal information on them. Store the photocopies in a secure place. You will have this information ready if your wallet should be lost or stolen.
• Purchase a good quality paper shredder and shred all paper work containing personal information. Do not just throw it away.
• Be aware of anyone with a cell phone standing next to you in a check-out line lest they take a picture of your credit card as it’s being passed back and forth with the cashier.

If your personal information is stolen, here are the steps to protect yourself.

1. File a police report in the jurisdiction where the theft occurred.
2. Call the three national credit-reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. The numbers are as follows;

Equifax Credit: 1 800 685-1111
Experian: 1 888 397-3742
TransUnion: 1 800 888-4213
Social Security Administration (fraud line) 1 800 269-0271
For additional information, visit the government’s website www.pueblo.gsa.gov