Americans Lose $50 Billion Per Year to Identity Theft, Tips to Protect Yourself

PINOLE, CA- Reports say that more than 15 million United States residents have their identities used fraudulently each year resulting in financial losses of approximately $50 billion, this translates to 7% of all adults each losing approximately $3,500 per incidence.

Studies show that 100 million additional Americans have information at risk of identity theft each year due to technology breaches.

The Pinole Police Department released the following tips to protect your identity and keep your information safe:

• Install passwords on your credit cards, bank and phone accounts.
• Pay attention to your billing cycles. Follow up with creditors if a bill does not arrive.
• Protect your deposit slips and check book.
• Monitor your accounts and keep your receipts to check against your monthly statements.
• Do not give out information over the phone or internet to unsolicited contacts.
• Guard your mail from theft. If you are planning on being away from home, request a vacation hold on your mail at the post office until you can pick it up.
• Buy a shredder. Shred your charge receipts, copies of credit applications, checks, expired credit cards and bank statements.
• Minimize the amount of identification and number of credit/debit cards you carry. Only carry what you need and never carry your Social Security card.
• Secure personal information in a safe place.
• Only give your Social Security number when it is absolutely necessary.
• Order a copy of your credit report every year.

The three major credit bureaus are:

• Equifax – 1.800.525.6285 www.equifax.com
• Experian – 1.888.397.3742 www.experian.com
• TransUnion – www.transunion.com If any suspicious activities occur

Photo via MorgueFile