Columbia Park Neighborhood Association

Guard Against Identity Theft!

Oct 31, 2002

Guard Against Identity Theft!
Identity Fraud is one of the fastest growing financial crimes in America today, accounting for losses in the billions of dollars every year. Minneapolis police offer these tips for protecting yourself, and advice on what to do if it happens to you:

-Don?’t have your drivers license number or Social Security number printed on your checks.
-Don?’t carry your Social Security card or birth certificate in your wallet or purse.
-DO NOT provide your Social Security number to anyone unless it is legally required (i.e. your employer or bank etc.) Many requests made for Social Security numbers (i.e. doctor?’s office, phone solicitors, etc.) may be politely refused. Sometimes you may be asked for this information when you call your credit card company or your bank. This is acceptable when you are initiating the call, however, Do Not give this information to anyone that has CALLED YOU...even if they are just asking for the last four digits for verification purposes. Some people have experienced fraud just by providing these last four digits.
-Try not to carry more than one credit card in your wallet.
-Don?’t carry credit card receipts. Keep them safe or destroy them.
-Don?’t carry actual passwords with your cards or write them on your cards.
-Shred all credit card offers mailed to you.
-Never give your credit card number or bank account information to anyone calling you.
-Ask to have your checks mailed to your bank, not to your home.
-Lock your mailbox. Don?’t leave outgoing mail in your mailbox; drop it off at a post office or postal service mail collection box instead.
-when paying with your credit card, encourage clerks to check your identification.
-Review monthly bills carefully for unexplained

charges.
-Shred all documents with account numbers before disposing of them.
-Order only from secure, reputable internet sites.
-Oredr your credit report from the three major credit bureaus and make sure the information is correct. See numbers below.
-Make photocopies of the items in your wallet (both sides). Keep these photocopies in a safe place.

If someone has stolen your identity:
-Call your local police department and file a report. Get a copy of the report in case the bank, credit card company or others need it at a later date.
-Notify all three credit reporting bureaus. Tell them to put a fraud alert on your file and ask that no new credit be granted without your approval. Call Equifax at 1-800-685-1111, Experian at 1-888-397-3742, or Trans Union at 1-800-888-4213.
-Change your account numbers for banking, credit cards and utilities. Put new passwords on all accounts.

For Individuals with disabilities:
-If you need this material in Braille, large print, computer disk, or cassette tape, call 612-673-2912. Sign language interpreters available call 612-673-3220 or 612-673-2626 (TTY). Please allow two weeks for accommodation.
Carla Nielson, Crime Prevention Specialist
Minneapolis Police Department
Community Crime Prevention/SAFE
217 S. 3rd St., Minneapolis, MN 55401-2139
612-673-2850; carla.nielson@ci.minneapolis.mn.us