1. Protect your wallets/purses/credit cards/bank cards from being stolen
2. Don’t give out your social security number or other personal information
3. Keep your personal information in a safe place when not being used
4. Use a locked mailed box for incoming mail
5. Place outgoing mail in mail collection boxes

1. Ask why your personal information is needed – you don’t have to give it out just because it’s asked for
2. If you don’t get your bills on time – call to ask why

1. Use a mix of letters and numbers in your password – avoid using your mother’s maiden name, birth date, last four digits of your social security number, or phone number.
2. Don’t write your password on the back of your bank cards
3. Keep your passwords safe, don’t give them out

1. Don’t write your password on the back of your bank cards
2. Don’t carry them in your purse of wallet

1. Shred all your personal information before placing it in the trash – bank statements, credit or ATM receipts, credit card offers, and credit card bills.

1. Watch for strangers around you when using or giving out your personal information
2. Watch for others nearby when entering your PIN at the ATM

1. Take your name off national or local marketing lists

The United States Postal Service recommends that you take your name off contact lists (mail and telemarketing). Find out how by clicking on the link or mailing your requests for removal from mailing lists to Mail Preference Service, PO Box 9008, Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008. To be removed from telemarketing lists, mail your requests to Telephone Preference Service, PO Box 9014, Farmingdale, NY 11735-9014.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) launched the National Do Not Call Registry to give Americans a choice about getting telemarketing calls at home or on your cell phone. Don’t forget to register your phone number in the National Do Not Call Registry by calling 1-888-382-1222 or clicking on the link above.

1. Get your free credit report by clicking on the link or by calling 1-877-322-8228, connecting to www.annualcreditreport.com, or send a request to Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281. A recent amendment to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FRCA) requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months. Reviewing your credit report on a regular basis can help you guard against fraud.

Phishing is a high tech scam that uses spam or pop-up messages to deceive you into disclosing your personal information, such as your credit card number, bank account information, social security number, passwords, or other sensitive information. You may think your online transactions are secure…but who’s really seeing your personal information? Click on the link above to find out how not to get hooked by a ‘Phishing’ scam.