As with any crime, you can't guarantee that you will never be a victim, but you can minimize your risk. By managing your personal information cautiously and with awareness, you can help guard against identity theft.

Tips for avoiding Identity Theft

1. Shred all unwanted materials containing sensitive personal information such as credit union statements, credit card bills, etc. Whenever possible sign up for online statements.
2. Order a copy of your credit report once a year to review your file and make certain it is correct. Click here to order your free credit report.
3. Secure personal information in your home, especially if you are having work or services performed in your home.
4. Do not give personal information, such as account numbers or social security numbers, over the telephone, through the mail or over the Internet, unless you initiated the contact or know with whom you are dealing.
5. Don't carry your Social Security card, birth certificate, passport, or extra credit cards in your wallet or purse, unless it's truly necessary. At work, store your wallet or purse in a safe place. Whenever possible, avoid carrying other cards that include your SSN, birth date, home address, or other personal information. Keep a photocopy of all cards in your wallet in case it is lost or stolen.
6. Closely monitor the expiration dates on your credit cards and contact the issuer if you do receive a replacement prior to the expiration date.
7. Pay attention to billing cycles and statements. Inquire if you do not receive a monthly bill. If your bills include questionable items call the company and investigate it.
8. Do not disclose credit card or other financial account numbers on a website unless the site offers secure transactions. Protect your PIN and other passwords. Avoid using your mother’s maiden name, your birth date or the last four digits of your social security number.
9. Guard your mail box, If you have a mail box with flag to signal for a pickup, do not leave bill payment envelopes, instead mail the from a postal collection box on at Post Office.
   

How to Opt Out:

Here is list of ways you can excersize your option to not be solicited.

• If you prefer not to receive pre-approved offers of credit, you can OPT out by calling 1-888 -567-8688.
• If you want to remove your name from many national direct mail lists, send your name and address to the Direct Marketing Association (DMA), a national trade association who has established a Mail Preference Service (MPS), which allows you to opt out of a national mailing list.
• For a $5 fee you can register Online at www.dmaconsumers.org or, by mail you can send a written request, including your name and address and signature to:
  Mail Preference Service
  Attn: Dept 12851374
  Direct Marketing Association
  P.O. Box 282
  Carmel, NY 10512
  

Note: Although registration with MPS will help, it will not stop all junk mail. It will not stop junk mail from companies that do not belong to DMA organization.

To Opt Out of Telemarketing:

The Do Not Call Registry was created by the Federal Trade Commission to make it easier and more efficient for you to stop getting telemarketing calls. You can register online at www.donotcall.gov or call toll-free 1-888-382-1222 from the number you wish to register.