Protecting yourself from identity theft

• Be cautious when dealing with phone solicitors. If you’re interested in what they have to offer, ask for their contact information so you can call back later. Before you do, confirm the contact information with a reputable organization or with the company the caller claims to represent.
• Don’t trust caller ID. Scammers have ways to make their numbers seem legitimate.
• Ask questions. Scammers will usually sense that you’re skeptical and move on to an easier target.
• If you’re not sure a call is legitimate, cut it short.
• Never send money using a credit card or by other methods, and don’t disclose personal information before confirming that the caller is legitimate, even if they claim to be someone in authority like a police officer.
• Never act on impulse. Before you accept anything over the phone, talk to your friends and family.

• Make sure your computer or tablet has up-to-date security software (spyware, firewall and anti-virus software, encryption software and anti-spam software).
• Protect your Wi-Fi network with a secure password.
• Before entering your personal information on a website, check if the URL starts with https—this means the site is secure.
• Make sure you read the privacy policy for websites you visit. If they don’t have one or it’s unclear, don’t use the site.
• If you have to open an account on a website, choose a strong password, never share it with anyone and turn on two-factor authentication if you can.
• Always log out before leaving secure sites.
• Clear the browser cache after visiting a secure site on a public or shared computer.

• Memorize your PIN so you don’t have to write it down, and never share it.
• Always cover the keypad when entering your PIN.
• Never leave your credit or debit cards lying around.
• When you receive a new card, sign it right away in permanent ink.
• When using your card in a store, don’t let the card out of your sight, and check to make sure the card you’re handed back at the end of the transaction is really yours.

• Padlock your mailbox to reduce the risk of mail theft, if you can.
• Don’t write your first or last name on your mailbox.
• Shred any mail that contains personal information.
• Before you respond to a mail offer, do an online search for the company or person making the offer. You’ll probably learn a lot, and you may even find stories from people who were scammed the same way.
• Talk to your friends and family if you’re interested in a mail offer. Don’t act on impulse.

• Have everything ready before you get to the ATM so you don’t have to go through your pockets, wallet or purse.
• If you need help, ask someone you trust to come with you or, if the ATM is in a bank, ask an employee to assist you.
• Don’t forget to collect your card and receipt when you’re done.
• Don’t use an ATM or payment terminal if you suspect it’s been tampered with, for instance, if any parts move or fall off when you touch them. Report anything unusual to the financial institution.
• Don’t use the ATM if you don’t feel safe.

Social media promotes open communication and online communities where anyone can connect. Naturally, we feel like our virtual friends are also our friends in real life, but is that really the case? In these virtual communities, it’s easy for strangers to pass themselves off as your friends and gather personal information about you to commit fraud.

That’s why we recommend that you never include the following information in your profile:

• Phone number
• Address
• Date of birth
• Spouse and children’s names
• Any other personal information

When you create your profile on a social networking site, don’t accept the default security settings.

Instead, make sure your profile is private (this ensures that your information won’t be accessible to everyone on the site), and don’t automatically allow all your contacts to message you or access your page. Check the security settings and read the privacy policy for every social media site you use.

Anything you post on a social networking site automatically becomes the property of that site. This means that when you accept the terms of use for a social media site, you agree that your photos, posts, email address and date of birth can be sold to third parties.

If you decide to use social media sites, assume that even if you take all the above precautions, anyone using the site can access anything you post, including cybercriminals.