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• Keep your personal information such as your driver license, social security number, various account numbers, credit cards, etc., under your direct control.
• It is recommended that you do not carry your personal social security identification card on your person. Keep it safe with your other important documents at home, safety deposit box, etc.
• It is recommended that you do not include your driver license number on preprinted checks. If a business requires this information, the time it takes for them to write this information down is a short inconvenience.
• Shred or completely destroy any bills, documents, or statements containing personal information such as driver license number, account numbers, credit card numbers, atm receipts, etc., before putting them in the trash.
• Unsolicited mail or email that ask for any of your personal information should be suspect.
• Never provide personal information to an unsolicited letter or email even if it may appear to be from an organization or business that you do business with.
• If you receive unsolicited mail or email from a business or organization you use asking for personal information contact that business or organization directly by phone or in person to verify the business or organization did, in fact, send the mail or email.
• Immediately report the loss of credit cards, atm cards, bank checks, etc., to the respective company or business that issued the item.
• If your driver license, credit cards, atm card, bank checks, etc., are stolen immediately notify the respective company or business that issued the item AND contact your local law enforcement agency to file a theft report.
• If you lost or misplaced your checkbook in a public area and then later recovered it, check it closely. Many times one or more checks are removed from the back of the checkbook so that you are not aware of the theft until some time later giving the suspect(s) time to forge and use the checks.
• If you discover that someone else has opened a line of credit, obtained credit, or has obtained a credit card using your identity contact your local law enforcement agency and immediately file a police report. In addition you also need to:
  • Obtain a copy of your police report ... you will need it when contacting the various companies involved and other agencies that can assist you.
  • Contact the FTC (Federal Trade Commission).
  • Contact the credit bureau.
  • Check your own credit report for any other lines of credit, etc., that may have been opened in your name that you may not be aware of yet.
• Check your personal credit report history at least once a year to make sure no one else is using your identity or has opened a line of credit or obtained credit in your name.
• If you are the victim of identity theft, be patient and diligent. The process to clear your name and credit history is a long and involved one. Your local law enforcement agency that investigates forgery and fraud can be helpful. In addition, the FTC (Federal Trade Commission), U.S. Postal Service, and U.S. Secret Service provide information on their respective web sites that can assist you in clearing your name and credit history.

  FTC Website is: http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/
  US Postal Inspectors Website is: http://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/
  US Secret Service Website is: http://www.ustreas.gov/usss/index.shtml

• If you operate a business make sure you have sufficient checks and balances in place to prevent any one person from having total access and use of your bank accounts, deposits, fund transfers, etc., without a second or third party’s authorization and approval. Too many times a “trusted” long term employee has been responsible for the embezzlement of a business’ funds when no checks or balances are in place.
• If you operate a business it is recommended that you have periodic and unannounced audits of your financial bookkeeping and financial accounts by an independent or outside auditor that is not involved in the day-to-day operations.
• If you operate a business, shred or completely destroy any documents containing account numbers, financial transactions, computer user names and passwords, etc., before they go in the trash. “Dumpster diving” of businesses is a favorite method used by suspects to obtain information.

Note: Unfortunately even the most diligent of efforts to prevent yourself from becoming a victim of forgery and fraud crimes cannot guarantee success with 100% certainty. The tips contained on this page are general recommendations only and the use, in whole or in part, of these tips cannot guarantee your protection but they can help to limit the chances of you becoming a victim of forgery or fraud.