public service announcement

New Ways You Can Avoid Identity Theft
(Good Housekeeping July 2005)

1. Read all your mail, even of it looks like junk. If a theif opens a credit or banking account in your name, a statement may come to you. Letters from collection agencies soliciting payment for purchases you didn't make are a sure sign you've been scammed.

2. Stop the credit card offers. The average household receives 60 credit offers in the mail each year. Thieves can steal these, fill out the forms, and open a new account in your name. Call 888-567-8688 to stop these offers.

3. When banking online, always go directly to your bank's web site. Never use a link in an email. It could be part of a "phishing" scheme in which scammers try to trick you into divulging financial information over the internet.

4. Post a fraud alert. If you suspect your identity has been stolen, you can place a free 90-day alert with the 3 major credit bureaus. This warns creditors that someone may be trying to impersonate you. In some states, including California, you can freeze your credit files. For more information, go to www.privacyrights.org .