What to Do
- Sign all credit cards as soon as you receive them.
- Pay attention to billing cycles. If bills fail to arrive, contact the company to ensure the bill has not been illicitly redirected.
- Review your financial statements and look for unauthorized transactions such as purchases and withdrawals.
- Limit the number of credit and charge cards you own to reduce exposure.
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Notify your creditors immediately if you have lost or had a card stolen.
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Destroy cancelled checks and store new checks in a safe place.
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Destroy pre-approved credit card applications, credit card receipts, bankbooks, bank statements with checks and pay statements.
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Cancel all inactive credit cards.
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Review credit bureau files annually and immediately question any unknown credit inquiries or unauthorized accounts.
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Before providing any personal information to a third party, find out how it will be used and if it will be shared.
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Carry only the essential identification information you need with you and keep things like your Social Security Number and passport secured at home or in a safety deposit box.
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What to Avoid
- Never record or keep a Client Card PIN, password or Social Security Number in your wallet.
- Only provide your Social Security Number when absolutely necessary. Ask to use other types of identifiers when possible.
- Don’t leave mail lying around. Deposit outgoing mail in post office collection boxes or at your local post office, and promptly remove mail from your box after delivery.
- Don't provide personal information such as birth date over the telephone and only provide your credit card number when you have initiated the call to a trusted third party.
- Don't leave your purse or wallet unattended at work, restaurants, health clubs, in a shopping cart or at social gatherings.
- Never lend credit or debit cards to anyone.
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