Three Tips to Stay Protected Against Identity Theft

Life can get busy, and you may not have the time to sit down and pour over every single transaction made each month. Each year, you are eligible to receive a free copy of your credit report from each of the three bureaus. You can request them from the website AnnualCreditReport.com. It is good to get copies from all three, as different institutions may pull your credit from one versus another. Make sure to stagger your requests and get a different report every four months. Don’t forget to request one for each member of your household. Identity thieves have been targeting children – including newborns. If you get a response that your child has no report, be happy – a child should not have any information yet to compile a credit file. If the child does have a report, examine it to find out what information is being reported and why.

As we continue to spend more and more time online these days, it’s important to continuously discuss online safety. Some important topics worth going over are the difference between secure and unsecure sites, the need for strong passwords, computer security settings, and what is appropriate online activities. If needed, set up parental controls and talk through the rules and expectations that can be checked or reviewed.

When leaving the house, we need our wallet/purse, keys, phone, water bottle, etc. But what are the things you are taking with you that you don’t need? Leave your social security card, birth certificate, passport, password cheat sheet, spare keys and other unnecessary items at home and in a secure location.