When your identity is stolen, the thieves can use your information to drain your bank accounts, use your credit cards or open new accounts in your name. It’s a headache that can majorly disrupt your finances for years!

Start protecting your information TODAY by taking these steps:   

• Check your account statements often. Regularly review your bank and credit card statements to make sure there are no charges or payments that you didn’t make. The sooner you can report a fraudulent purchase to your financial institution, the better.
  
  
• Shred your documents. Criminals are known to dig through garbage bags to hunt for bank account information, Social Security numbers and more. Be sure that any documents with identifying information are thoroughly shredded before tossing them.
  
  
• Guard your Social Security number. Social Security numbers are the gateway to all of your personal data. Make sure you keep yours safe! Store your Social Security card in a secured location – don’t carry it in your wallet. If you do need to write down or say your SSN out loud, always be aware of your surroundings.
  
  
• Practice internet safety. Online scammers have countless strategies for stealing personal information. Always be mindful while you’re online.
  
  
  • Stay away from public Wi-Fi
  • Create strong passwords and store them in a secure online password manager
  • Never click on suspicious links sent to you from an unknown email address
  • Keep identifying information off of your social media accounts
  • Never give personal information to anyone you don’t know over the phone or internet

• Keep an eye on your mailbox. Identity theft isn’t just digital! Criminals may root through mailboxes to steal important documents that contain identifying information. Make sure to clean out your mailbox every day, or send your mail to a Post Office box.