- Shred and destroy unwanted documents that contain personal information.
- Bring your mail in daily - don’t leave mail in your mailbox or get a privately owned mailbox.
- Immediately report lost or stolen credit cards.
- Opt-Out of on line data vendors that display YOUR info on the Internet.
- Review and monitor your consumer credit reports regularly.
- Do not carry your social insurance card or your birth certificate. Keep these secured at home in a safe if possible.
- Make sure all credit charges made on your credit accounts are yours.
- Don't leave ATM and credit card receipts behind after purchasing something.
- Place a "bogus" PIN number on the back of your ATM card.
- Shred mail containing personal and financial information, use our resource page to opt-out of junk mail and preapproved offers of credit.
Never reveal your bank account, credit card, mother’s maiden name or social security number over the phone (unless dealing with a trusted business or organization).
Maintain a list of you accounts at home in a safe place. Keep info such as account numbers, expiration dates, and customer help telephone numbers. If lost you will have a list of what you had and need to cancel. Or photocopy whats in your purse or wallet.
When creating passwords or PINs, do not use digits of your social insurance number, mother’s maiden name, your birth date, any part of your name (first, middle, last). Cop's don't use your badge number or call sign!
Watch your credit card expiration dates, if you don’t receive a replacement card prior to the date - contact the issuer.
Consider making your telephone number unlisted or listed without your address.
Sign all new credit cards immediately to prevent someone else from doing so.
Beware of mail or telephone contacts informing you of prizes and awards - especially if they ask for personal or financial account information.
