Member Education & Consumer Tips
How to Protect Your Social Security Number
Please safeguard your information. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Give your Social Security number only when absolutely necessary. Ask to use other types of identifiers when possible.
- Don't carry your Social Security card; leave it in a secure place..
- Regularly check your credit record. Order your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus each year and make sure all the information is correct. Credit Reporting Agencies
- Follow up with creditors if your bills do not arrive on time. A missing credit card bill could mean an identity thief has taken over your credit card account and changed your billing address to cover his tracks.
- Avoid ATMs which have messages or signs fixed to them indicating that the screen directions have been changed, especially if the message is posted over the card reader. Banks, Credit Unions and other ATM owners will not put up messages directing you to specific ATMs nor would they direct you to use an ATM which has been altered.
- Guard your mail from theft. Deposit outgoing mail in post office collection boxes or at your local post office. Promptly remove mail from your mailbox after it has been delivered. If you're planning to be away from home for an extended period, ask the post office to hold it for you until you return.
- Do not give out personal information on the phone, through the mail or over the Internet unless you have initiated the contact or know whom you're dealing with.
- Be cautious about where you leave personal information in your home, especially if you have roommates, employ outside help or are having service work done in your home.
