Prevent Identity Theft

Here are some tips from financial experts on how to protect your finances from identity thefts. You can find more tips from the Attorney General's Office on our Protect Your Good Name page.

  • The next time you order checks, consider having only your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your checkbook, they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name, but your bank will know how you sign your checks.
  • Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put "PHOTO ID REQUIRED."
  • When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the "For" line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing channels won't have access to it.
  • Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a PO Box, use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, use your work address. Never have your SS# printed on your checks. You can add it if it is necessary. But if you have it printed, anyone can get it.
  • Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel in case your wallet is stolen. We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed on us in stealing a name, address, Social Security number, credit cards. But above all- put these photocopies in a safe place!
  • Never give your account numbers or Personal Identification Numbers (PIN) to someone who contacts you. The bank (and most other financial institutions) will NEVER ask for your account information or PIN numbers by email.
  • Shred anything with your Social Security Number, birth date, or account number and all credit offers.
  • Don't carry your Social Security card, extra credit cards, passport or birth certificate in your purse or wallet if not absolutely necessary
  • Reconcile your accounts immediately and challenge any purchases that you don't remember making.

If you feel you have been the victim of identity theft

  • Cancel lost credit cards immediately. However, the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep a separate list where you can find it quickly and easily.
  • Immediately report to your bank if your checkbook is stolen.
  • File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your purse or wallet was stolen. This proves to credit providers that you were diligent, and it is a first step toward an investigation if one is required.
  • If you believe your Social Security number has been compromised, call the Social Security Administration's fraud line to report it.
  • Contact credit-reporting agencies. This is perhaps the most important and least discussed step. Call one of the three, national credit-reporting agencies immediately and ask them to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. With an alert in place, any company checking your credit knows your information was stolen and they must contact you by phone to authorize new credit.