Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

By Carol A. Kando-Pineda

Identity theft happens when your personal information is stolen and used to commit fraud. Use these tips from the Federal Trade Commission to protect your financial information from identity thieves.

■Protect your financial information. Shred financial papers before tossing. Don’t write your Social Security number on a check. Keep your military ID with you or locked up at all times.

■Monitor your financial accounts and billing statements. Be alert to signs of identity theft: bills that don’t arrive as usual, unexpected account statements, calls about purchases you didn’t make or credit denials for no apparent reason.

■Review your credit reports carefully for suspicious activity. Order your free annual credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com or call 1-877-322-8228.

■Deployed? If so, and you don’t expect to seek new credit while you’re away — think about getting an “active duty alert” on your credit report. That way, creditors must verify your identity before granting credit. It’s effective for one year, unless you ask that it be removed sooner or you extend it.

■If you suspect identity theft, act immediately.

■Place a “Fraud Alert” on your credit reports. A call to one of the toll-free number of one of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies is sufficient to place an initial 90-day fraud alert for all three companies. It also entitles you to free copies of your credit reports. Look for accounts you didn’t open or debts you can’t explain.

■Call the security or fraud departments of each company where an account was opened or changed without your okay and close the accounts. Follow up in writing.

■Explain the situation to your commanding officer. You don’t want your C.O. taken by surprise if contacted by creditors.

■File a report with military law enforcement and the local police (if you are in the United States) to help you with creditors who may want proof of the crime.