Identity Theft Prevention
Senior
citizens are a most vulnerable group for Identity Theft.
Forewarned is to be forearmed. Read the following carefully for future reference.
Although there is no method for guaranteeing that identity theft will never happen to you, below are tips than can help you minimize your risk:
* Carry only the cards you actually need. Minimize the identification information and the number of cards you carry in your wallet or purse. Do not carry your Social Security card unless you need it.
* Never put your account information on the outside of an envelope or on a postcard.
*
Cut up old or expired credit cards. Close all inactive credit card and
bank accounts.
Even though you do not use them, these accounts appear on your credit
report and may be used by thieves.
* For your ATM card, choose a Personal Identification Number (PIN) different from your address, telephone number, middle name, the last four digits of your Social Security number, your birth date or any other information that could be easily discovered by thieves.
* Memorize your PIN; do not write it on your ATM card or keep it written on a piece of paper somewhere in your wallet. Statistics show that in many instances of ATM card fraud, cardholders wrote their PINs on their ATM cards or on slips of paper kept with their wallets or purses.
*
Keep personal information in a safe place. If you employ outside help
or are having
service work done in your home, keep your personal information out of
sight.
Give your Social Security number only when absolutely necessary. Ask to use another type of identifying number whenever possible.
* Do not give out personal information over the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet unless you have initiated contact or know the business with which you are dealing.
* Compare your ATM receipts and cashed checks with your periodic bank statements to check for unauthorized transfers or charges.
* Shred credit card statements, bank statements and pre-approved credit offers when you do not need them. Consider investing in a paper shredder.
* Decrease the number of
unsolicited credit card applications that you receive. The fewer 
credit card applications you receive, the less likely it is that one
will be stolen. Call (888) 5OPT-OUT to have your name removed from the
marketing lists sold by the major credit bureaus for two years, or removed
permanently.
* Ask your bank about its privacy policies and information practices. Find out the circumstances under which your bank would provide your account information to a third party.
* Order a copy of your credit report from the three credit reporting agencies at least once every year to review your file for possible fraud.
-Bob Stezzi, Branch Manager
Upstate New York Better Business Bureau
www.UpstateNYbbb.org