Shred all documents that contain your personal information. Personal information is still gathered from the trash by thieves, so take caution and shred your credit card statements, bank statements, medical bills, etc.

Guard your mail box and retrieve your received mail as soon as possible. Personal documents can be taken from your mail box by thieves. Consider a PO Box or, for added security, a lockable mail box. Also, never mail bills or letters containing personal checks from your home, as they can be stolen easily.

Keep your social security number safe. Don’t carry your social security card around with you or any other card that has your number on it. Don’t use your number on checks or bills that can be stolen.

Consider a lock box or safety deposit box for your social security card. Burglars often steal personal information and use it for identity theft in the future.

Keep track of your bank, ATM, and store receipts. If you’ve used a credit card to pay for something, your receipt contains information that could be used for identity theft.

Never let your credit card out of your sight. If you can’t keep see your credit card, pay with cash or check, or instead of giving your card to a restaurant employee, pay the bill yourself.

Don’t give your personal information over the telephone. If someone calls you, inquire about their reason for calling and ask what company they represent, even if it’s a call from your bank or financial institution. Return their call at a number you know is legitimate to verify the call before giving them the information.

Ask to be removed from junk mail lists. The inconvenience of receiving hundreds of junk mail offers will be removed, and you will be saved the potential problem of having credit card offers stolen from your mail box.

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