What steps can you do to prevent consumer
fraud?
- Shred all personal and financial information - such as
bills, bank statements, ATM receipts and credit card offers - before you throw it away.
- Keep your personal documentation (e.g., birth certificate,
Social Security card, etc.) and your bank and credit card records in a secure place.
- Call the post office immediately if you are not receiving
your mail. To get the personal information needed to use your identity, a thief can forge
your signature and have your mail forwarded.
- Be aware of your surroundings when entering your Personal
Identification Number (PIN) at an ATM.
- Limit the number of credit cards and other personal
information that you carry in your wallet or purse.
- Report lost or stolen credit cards immediately.
- Review and consider whether you need currently inactive card
accounts. Even when not being used, these accounts appear on your credit report, which is
accessible to thieves. If you have applied for a credit card and have not received the
card in a timely manner, immediately notify the appropriate financial institution.
- Closely monitor the expiration dates on your credit cards.
Contact the credit issuer if the replacement card is not received prior to your credit
card's expiration date.
- Sign all new credit cards upon receipt.
- Review your credit reports annually.
- Match your credit card receipts against monthly bills to
make sure there are no unauthorized charges.
Things to Avoid to Help Prevent Fraud
What can consumers avoid doing to prevent fraud?
- Do not volunteer any personal information when you use your
credit card.
- Do not give your Social Security number, credit card number
or any bank account details over the phone unless you have initiated the call and know
that the business that you are dealing with is reputable.
- Do not leave receipts at ATMs, bank counters or unattended
gasoline pumps.
- Do not leave envelopes containing your credit card payments
or checks in your home mailbox for postal carrier pickup.
- Do not record your Social Security number or passwords on
paper and store them in your wallet or purse. Memorize your numbers and/or passwords.
- Do not disclose bank account numbers, credit card account
numbers or other personal financial data on any website or online service location, unless
you receive a secured authentication key from your provider.
Steps to Take to Help Prevent Fraud
What can consumers do to prevent fraud?
- Shred all personal and financial information - such as
bills, bank statements, ATM receipts and credit card offers - before you throw it away.
- Keep your personal documentation (e.g., birth certificate,
Social Security card, etc.) and your bank and credit card records in a secure place.
- Call the post office immediately if you are not receiving
your mail. To get the personal information needed to use your identity, a thief can forge
your signature and have your mail forwarded.
- Be aware of your surroundings when entering your Personal
Identification Number (PIN) at an ATM.
- Limit the number of credit cards and other personal
information that you carry in your wallet or purse.
- Report lost or stolen credit cards immediately.
- Review and consider whether you need currently inactive card
accounts. Even when not being used, these accounts appear on your credit report, which is
accessible to thieves. If you have applied for a credit card and have not received the
card in a timely manner, immediately notify the appropriate financial institution.
- Closely monitor the expiration dates on your credit cards.
Contact the credit issuer if the replacement card is not received prior to your credit
card's expiration date.
- Sign all new credit cards upon receipt.
- Review your credit reports annually.
- Match your credit card receipts against monthly bills to
make sure there are no unauthorized charges.
Things to Avoid to Help Prevent Fraud
What can consumers avoid doing to prevent fraud?
- Do not volunteer any personal information when you use your
credit card.
- Do not give your Social Security number, credit card number
or any bank account details over the phone unless you have initiated the call and know
that the business that you are dealing with is reputable.
- Do not leave receipts at ATMs, bank counters or unattended
gasoline pumps.
- Do not leave envelopes containing your credit card payments
or checks in your home mailbox for postal carrier pickup.
- Do not record your Social Security number or passwords on
paper and store them in your wallet or purse. Memorize your numbers and/or passwords.
- Do not disclose bank account numbers, credit card account
numbers or other personal financial data on any website or online service location, unless
you receive a secured authentication key from your provider.
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