According to the Federal Trade Commission, over 27 million Americans have been victims of identity theft in the last five years.  Using everyday items such as a driver's license or Social Security number, a skilled thief can:

• open a new account and write bad checks
• obtain a credit card or loan or change a credit card account address
• set up a cellular phone or utility service and run up bills
• rent an apartment and not pay the rent

Follow these do's and don'ts to help minimize your risk of identity theft.

ü      Log in regularly to check your online accounts.  Review your monthly statements for accuracy and report errors right away.  Monitor your credit accounts carefully, so you’ll know if a bill is missing or unauthorized purchases have been made.  Retain your credit card receipts in a safe place until the statement is received.  Close out unused credit cards.  Cutting them up is not enough.

ü      Keep personal information, checks, statements, and paperwork in a secure place in your home, especially if you have roommates, frequent visitors or hired services.

ü      Keep track of all credit cards applied for.  Sign all new cards upon receipt and keep track of the expiration dates.  If a card is not received in a timely manner, immediately notify the issuer.  Be sure to shred all credit card offers you don’t want.

ü      Never write your P.I.N. down on your card, in your wallet or on anything you discard.  Always take your ATM receipt.  Be watchful of shoulder-surfers.  At ATMs and phone booths, thieves will stand close enough to see PIN numbers punched in by users.

ü      Shred all personal and financial information before throwing away.  Don't put your trash out until shortly before it is picked up.

ü      Periodically reviewing your credit report is an effective tool in fighting identity theft.  By Federal Law, Ohioans can now order one free copy of their credit report every year through a joint web site  www.annualcreditreport.com or by calling 1-877-322-8228.

ü      Consider “Opting Out.”  You can exclude your name from many unsolicited, prescreened credit and insurance offers.  Dial toll-free 1-888-567-8688 (888-5OPT-OUT) to opt out of credit report agency prescreened lists for credit or insurance offers.  You will need to verify personal information and may report your name for two years or permanently.

ü      Protect your Social Security Number. Only give your Social Security number when absolutely necessary. Avoid using it as your account number whenever possible. If merchants demand it, ask for an alternate number and take your business elsewhere if they insist on writing it on your check. Likewise, don't print it on your checks.

ü   Never carry your Social Security card and driver’s license together in your wallet.

ü      Don't provide your Social Security number, bank account number or credit card number to anyone who contacts you through telephone solicitation.

ü      Order your Social Security Earnings and Benefits statement once a year to check for fraud. 

ü      Make photocopies of everything you carry in your purse or wallet so you’ll have all the account numbers, expiration dates and phone numbers if your purse or wallet is lost or stolen. 

ü      Contact your credit card and/or bank as soon as you realize your card may have been lost or stolen.

ü      Limit the number of credit cards you carry. The fewer cards you have, the easier it is to track them.

ü      If you're moving, contact all your creditors and update them of your address changes immediately. You don't want credit information and new credit cards being delivered to the wrong address. Likewise, if your credit card expires and you don't receive a new one, call your creditor immediately.

ü      Write clearly on all credit applications. Consistently and completely fill in all credit and loan applications using your full name, first, middle, and last. Every bill that comes to your house should be addressed exactly the same.

ü      For more information, or if you believe you’ve been scammed, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov.  

ü      For information on identity theft, visit the Federal Trade Commission web site at www.consumer.gov/idtheft.