Why ID Alarm®
How ID Alarm® Works
Security
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Tips that will help minimize your risk:
- Don't reveal any personally identifying information before asking how it will be used and if it will be shared with anyone.
- Keep all personal information in a safe place, preferably one that is locked.
- Only divulge your SIN or SSN when absolutely necessary. Ask if you can provide other forms of ID when possible.
- Never carry your SIN or SSN card, birth certificate or passport with you unless absolutely necessary. If you're asked for your SIN or SSN frequently, memorize the number.
- Monitor your billing cycles. If your bills and/or credit card statements arrive later than anticipated it could be because an identity thief had them sent to them first.
- Remove mail from your mailbox promptly after delivery. Have the post office hold your mail when you go on vacation. If you move or change your mailing address ensure mail is forwarded or rerouted.
- When you assign passwords to your credit card, bank and phone accounts avoid using easily available information like your mother's maiden name, your birth date, the last four digits of your SIN or your phone number, as these are easily obtained by identity thieves.
- Only carry the minimum amount of identification information and cards necessary.
- Do not give out personal information on the phone, through the mail or over the Internet unless you have initiated the contact or have a trusted relationship with that company/organization.
- Buy a crosscut type shredder and use it to shred your important papers, statements, bills, credit card carbons, insurance and financial forms and receipts after you pay your bills each month.
- Don't forget to shred/destroy the pre-approved credit applications you receive in the mail. They can be used by identity thieves to order credit cards in your name.
- Do not throw anything away that contains personal information about you. If a thief has to go through your garbage to find information about you they will.
- When making a transaction on the Internet, ensure the site is secure and offers encryption before giving out your credit card account number.
- Be particularly careful when using ATM's and phone cards in public and try to protect the privacy of your PIN number when doing so. Once "Shoulder Surfers" have access to your number they can easily gain access to your account(s).
- Have new chequebooks delivered to your bank - not to your home address – so identity thieves can't steal them from your mailbox.
- Do not put your telephone number, SIN or SSN on the cheques you write.
- Try to ensure that your photo appears on all of your credit and business cards.
- Closely monitor all of your bank and credit card statements each month.
- Order your credit report from one of the major credit bureaus at least once a year and review it carefully.
- If you find mistakes on your credit reports correct them immediately – in writing. Send those letters Return Receipt Requested, and identify the problems item by item (include a copy of the disputed credit report). Typically, you will hear back from the credit bureau within 30 days.
- Call, write, or visit online, your national direct marketing association and have your name removed from all promotional lists, including pre-approved credit card offers.
- Use an unlisted telephone number, or just have your first initial listed in the directory in lieu of your first name.
- Make a list of all your credit card account and bank account numbers (including customer service phone numbers and expiration dates) and store it in a safe, secure place so you can quickly alert these companies if your ID is being used fraudulently. (Do not keep these numbers on your computer as thieves can access them.)
- If you use an ATM card, monitor activity in your account closely. If you suspect fraud, contact your financial institution immediately.
- Install a firewall on your home computer to prevent identity thieves from obtaining personal and financial information from your hard drive.
- Install current virus protection software to prevent worms and/or viruses from causing your computer to send out files or other stored information.
- Always take credit card receipts with you. Never put them in the garbage.
- When you expect to receive a new or reissued credit card in the mail, monitor delivery carefully. If it doesn't show up within the time period you anticipated, contact the issuer.
- Do not dispose of your old computer before "wiping" it of all personal identifying information.
- File-sharing and file-swapping programs make your computer especially vulnerable to identity theft. To help protect yourself, ensure you have strong firewall and virus protection installed and update it regularly.
- Opt-out of the sale or sharing of your financial information when given the opportunity by your bank, credit card companies, insurance companies, and investment firms.
- Pay as many bills as you can through automatic deductions from your checking account and/or credit account. Having fewer statements and bills mailed to your home will reduce the risk of identity theft.
- When job hunting online, beware of fake companies and "ads" who may be recruiting nothing more than your personal information.
- Leaving your wireless computer network unprotected is an open invitation to identity thieves (and worse) to access your personal information.
- Don't reply to, or buy from, spam emails you receive.
- Check website privacy policies before giving out any personal information online. Pay close attention to how personal information is collected by the site, how the information will be used, and whether it will be sold/shared to third parties.
- Think twice before entering contests and/or promotions from retailers you are not familiar with. Every time you enter one you're giving away valuable personal information.
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