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Don't overshare. Never put your account information on the outside of an envelope or on a postcard.
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Don't procrastinate. Don't wait to notify banks, credit cards, or other financial institutions if your cards or account information is lost or stolen.
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Don't bring it with you. Don't carry your Social Security card in your wallet. |
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Don't get chatty. Never give information out over the phone when you have not initiated the call. |
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Don't take the bait. Don't respond to email messages that claim to be from your bank or credit card company claiming that there is a problem with your account and asking for your account number, Social Security number, and PIN. Legitimate emails from those institutions will never request this type of personal information. These email messages are a common identity theft scam known as "phishing." |
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Don't shop without protection. Don't make purchases from an online shopping site if it is not using SSL encryption. The site URL will start with "https" instead of "http" and a small padlock icon will be displayed in the lower right-hand corner of your browser. |
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Don't leave it behind. Don't leave personally - identifying information in your car, such as your wallet, mail and so on. |
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Don't make it easy. Don't store account numbers or passwords in dayplanners or on mobile phones, PDAs, or laptops, which can easily be left behind or stolen. |
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Don't assume it's safe. Don't leave personal information out and available at your office or in your home if maintenance staff, household workers, or others have access to that space. |
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Don't ignore your instincts. If a situation, person, store or vendor appears suspicious, listen to your instincts.
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Don't rely on smarts alone. Bad things can still happen to smart people. Smart and Protected is the way to go. |
Top 10 Don'ts for Protecting Yourself from Identity Theft
