HOME > Protecting Your Privacy > Minimize Security Risks
Steps Every Individual Can Take to Minimize Security Risks
To Minimize Identity Theft
- Report lost or stolen cards immediately
- Cancel inactive credit and debit cards
- When using your debit card, do not volunteer any personal information
- Closely monitor expirations dates on your cards. Contact the financial institution if the replacement card is not received prior to your credit card expiration date.
- Sign all new credit and debit cards upon receipt
- Review account periodic statements for unauthorized charges
To Safeguard Personal Information
- Sign up for direct deposit for payroll to prevent paper checks from ending up in the wrong hands
- Shred (ideally in an cross-shredder) all personal and financial information such as bills, bank statement, ATM /POS receipts, and credit card offers before you discard them
- Keep your personal documentation (e.g. birth certificate, social security card, PIN numbers etc) and your bank and credit card record in a secure place
- Do not give your social security number, credit and debit 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 allow mail to go uncollected. Retrieve promptly
- Memorize your numbers and /or passwords. Do not write them down on paper and store them in your wallet or purse
- Avoid leaving envelopes containing your credit and debit card payments or checks in your home mailbox for postal carrier pickup
- Prior to discarding a computer, make sure all personal information is deleted from its hard drive
- Take receipts at ATM's, bank counters, or unattended areas
- Review your credit report annually
- Be aware of your surroundings when entering your Personal Identification Number (PIN) at an ATM
- Frequently monitor your account activity, such as balances and withdrawals
