tingy... Be stingy with your personal info

• Put only your name and address on checks
• Guard deposit slips—the information on them could be used by an ID theif
• Don't give personal information to anyone you don't know and trust
• Don't carry your Social Security card or number around with you

hec... Check your financial info regularly

• Watch for unusual activity on your checking and credit card accounts
• Monitor monthly account statements—if one is missing, report it right away
• Check your debit/credit card statements carefully: be aware of unauthorized transactions

sk... Ask for a copy of your credit report

• You can get a free report from three different credit bureaus once a year at www.annualcreditreport.com.
• If you become a victim of identity theft
  1. Contact the credit bureaus immediately
  2. Notify your local police
  3. Close or put a fraud alert on your accounts

aintain... Maintain careful records

• Place passwords on your credit card, bank, and phone numbers
• Tear or shred charge receipts and other trash with personal information
• Destroy credit card offers that you don't want