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6.17.4

Identity theft?

Last week, I was lazy and cheap and put a stamped envelope containing lots of confidential personal and financial data into the outgoing mail basket at work instead of FedExing it or, at the very least, dropping it into a secure mailbox. And the contents of the envelope have now come back to me, sans the two pages that contained irreplaceable/unduplicatable information, in a new envelope supplied by the post office and marked "Found loose in mails" or somesuch.

Anyway, did you know you can put a fraud alert on your credit record so that you get notified every time "you" attempt to open an account in "your own" name? I got the below list of fraud protection tips from Bank of America. Please read. I sure wish I'd committed it to memory a couple weeks ago.

• Be discriminating when providing personal information such as Social Security number and account or credit card information over the telephone, in person or on the Internet. Don't give out this information unless you are sure with whom you are dealing.

• Protect your Social Security number and the Social Security numbers of your children and other family members by not carrying them in your wallet.

• Report lost or stolen checks, credit or debit cards immediately. Bank of America will block payment on the check numbers or account numbers involved.

• Store cancelled checks, new checks and account statements in a safe place.

• Notify your banker of suspicious phone inquiries such as those asking for account information to "verify a statement" or "award a prize."

• Review your credit report at least once every year. Make sure all information is up-to-date and accurate.

• Memorize your PIN (Personal Identification Number) and refrain from writing it, your Social Security number or credit card number on a check.

• Tear up or shred any pre-approved credit offers to which you do not respond. Thieves can use these offers to assume your identity.

• Keep mail secure. Don't mail bills or sensitive information from your home or unsecured mailboxes. Retrieve and review your mail promptly. Thieves may use the personal information contained in your mail to steal your identity.

• If you do not receive your regular bills when expected, call the company to find out why.

• Review your monthly account statements thoroughly. Investigate suspicious items immediately to head off any possible fraud before it occurs.

• Do not carry your Social Security card, passport or birth certificate unless needed that day.

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