ID Theft Prevention Checklist

	Emails		Trash
	Spoof Websites		Mailboxes
	Computers		Phones
	Analog Stuff		Banking
	Banking		Checks & Money Orders
	Credit Cards		Online Payment Systems
	Debit Cards		Buy an Armadillo Dollar Now!
	Check your Credit Report

LEARN, ACT, TAKE YOUR POWER BACK!

If you believe your identity has been stolen, ACT QUICKLY. The longer a breach goes unattended, the more costly it becomes. According to the experts, your chances of suffering significant financial damage from identity theft are lower the sooner you discover the breach. If you think you are a victim, go to www.consumer.gov/idtheft now! If you don’t have access to the internet, then call
1-877-IDTHEFT, the FTC’s ID theft hotline number.
The best resource we’ve found is www.idtheftcenter.org/ for full assistance on identity theft.

“Knowledge is only power if you put it to use!”

Emails:

Use passwords that are not named after your kids, your Mom’s maiden name, or your pets. Use a strong password that includes a Capital letter, a symbol and at least ten alpha-numerics or letters. Change it periodically. Do not write it down or keep it in your wallet.
Do not use the same password for everything. Use lots of symbols and strong characters to make up a password.
Do not respond to e-mails you don’t recognize. Just delete them. Phishing e-mails look like they are from legitimate companies, but are actually from tricky identity thieves. These e-mails might warn you of account problems or other urgent matters to trick you into clicking through to a spoof site and entering your personal data. Don’t! (PayPal will never ask you for your information like this, but spoofs will!)
Do not open links from users you do not recognize. Just delete them.
Never ever download something from a link you have been sent by an unknown user.
Never open anything with an .exe (executable file) unless it is specifically something you asked for from a trusted source. Even files that are .exe (executable) can be disguised with other string labels.
Do not add your name to a “sign and forward list” of names petitioning for something. If you really care about the cause, contact the agency directly, sign a check or volunteer, but offering your name and location online offers up part of your identity for a thief to capture and procure as their own.
When sending e-mails you may also use encryption or an SSL from the website for more privacy. For instance, Google offers the http(S):// when sending e-mails. Just type in the (s) after logging onto Google for access to their SSL (Secure Socket Layer).
If selling via e-mail and the buyer represents himself as an intermediary (lawyer, adviser...) representing his foreign client, do not take action on the sale.

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Spoof Websites:

Phishing websites look like they are from legitimate companies, but are actually from tricky identity thieves. These websites may look like the real thing, and ask for your name and account information. Should you do this, you might be giving your data to someone who will do you harm.
If you've posted a resume' online, (which we don't recommend), thieves will pretend to be hiring and ask for your SSN and other personal information in promise of a lucrative job offer.
If you have a profile on MySpace or FaceBook, thieves are "spear phishing". Gathering details to collect as much focused information about you as possible when they send you their pitch. They will use one of your interests to lower your defenses.

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Computers:

If you use wireless Internet, be certain to have a password involving access. Many home wireless systems without passwords are easily intercepted, and the thieves can see everything you are typing into your computers. WEP passwords have also been known to be easily hacked. Once an attacker gains access to your computer, everything you type and see on your screen, the interceptor can also see on their screen, including when you order something online, which usually involves your credit card number. The attacker can also use your computer remotely as a “zombie” (a hacker term) to attack other computers or to store illegal and immoral files.
Use password phrases that are not named after your kids, your Mother’s maiden name, or your pets. Use a strong password phrase that includes a Capital letter, a symbol and at least ten alpha-numerics or letters. An example would be ”I love Lucy, she’s the only one for me”…ILVLCYSHEZtONLY14m3.
Change your password periodically. Do not keep it in your wallet.
Turn your computer off when you are not using it.
Do not use an automatic log in feature that saves your user name and password.
Always close your browser and log off your computer when you are finished.
Use an Internet virus detection program and update it often. Run the program manually to scan your system for viruses and unwanted software. Make sure you install all security patches available from the developer of your operating system.
Run antivirus software to check incoming e-mails and update definitions frequently.
Setup a firewall to prevent intruders from getting into your network or computer.
Run anti-spyware software on your system, which looks for programs that monitor your keystrokes. This is different from a Virus protection program.
To keep prying eyes from entering your personal computer, you may also add a USB fingerprint access devices that will require a keypad log in, combined with a swipe from your finger for unique access.
Before discarding or disposing of a computer, use a hard drive “wipe” program to completely eliminate any data from the hard drive.
It is imperative to understand that the data you create on your personal computer can be retrieved using basic forensic tools. Your files can be retrieved all the way back to when you purchased your computer. Everything you do can be seen by the next person that has your computer. If you can, take your computer to a professional shop and have it wiped. They will do a thorough job, tell the technicians you need the computer wiped to DOD standard 5220.22-M.
Use public computers in hotels, the library or coffee shops for internet searching only. Do not login to any personal accounts, or e-mails as thieves use keystroke logging software to capture everything on these systems.
Be wary of wireless keyboards, especially on unfamiliar computers. This wifi can be hacked and keystroke loggers can be used to capture your secret logins. Office buildings with several wireless keyboards, have been known to have keyboard frequencies switch and computers may appear to have somebody typing in when nobody is near that computer. The signals can get shared between systems when there is more than one wireless keyboard in use.
If you choose to use wireless internet, be careful which IP address you log onto. Hackers have been known to setup a strong WiFi network router, only to encourage others to sign in and use it, at which time they can be running a key logger and spy program that sees everything you do.
Secure your laptop with a locking mechanism if you are in a hotel room, on the road, or always take it with you.
Beware of digital copiers, fax machines and typewriters that may allow access to private info by printing from memory that wasn’t purged. Be sure to clear the memory or completely disable these before discarding.

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Analog Stuff:

Keep an Armadillo Dollar or Armadillo Dollar Black card folder in your wallet so your identity is protected from RF skimmers and RFID phishing.
Always be aware of the location of your purse and wallet. Physical theft accounts for a large number of ID theft. Do not leave your purse in a locked car. Stolen wallets and purses can become stolen identities. Be cognoscente of where your wallet and purse are physically located while out in public. Lock them up when at work.
Make certain your purse is zipped up if you’re carrying it around, hanging it behind your back or under your arm. Do not hang it on the chair behind your back when at a restaurant, instead place it somewhere you can see it at all times. Don’t carry anything you don’t absolutely have to.
Never carry your social security number with you. Memorize it.
Do not put your SSN on your driver’s license. States will readily comply when asked to use a replacement number instead of your SSN.
Only give out your SSN when necessary, and ask your doctor’s office to use a random replacement number for your files. Many identity thefts take place in the medical industry by ancillary staff.
Keep a log of when, where and who you shared your SSN with.
Keep your personal documents and those including passwords locked up and secure in your home. Identity theft crimes often involve somebody who knew the victim. Domestic help and roommates are often involved in the unwitting theft of the victim.
Take all your receipts with you. Most merchants will only print the last four card numbers on a receipt, but if you find an old fashioned one that prints out your entire card number, mention it to them to have it corrected, or do not shop there anymore. These are jackpot laden locations for identity thieves.
Do not leave your purse, wallet or any credit card statements in a locked car. Id thieves have noticed that locked cars are easy picking for storing information.
If you park your car outside the garage at night, be certain to take your garage door opener inside with you at night on your last trip in.
If you lose your driver’s license, get a new number, not a duplicate. Notify your health insurance company right away. Get an annual driver’s record check to monitor if somebody is using your license elsewhere. This can be done through your local Department of Motor Vehicles.
The new REAL ID Act driver’s licenses in many states will require an RFID tag which can monitor your position from at least 30 feet away (depending on the output power of the reader, even farther away!) Get an Armadillo Dollar or Armadillo Dollar BLACK card folder and keep your license inside to keep your privacy!

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Trash:

Anything you put out on the street becomes public domain, so be aware your trash tells a story about you. Thieves rummage through trash. (Prescription bottles, airline ticket stubs and cell phones with data chips tell a story about you.)
Use a cross cut shredder to destroy anything with your name and address on it. Rip out the pages in magazines and catalogs with your account numbers and be certain to shred those also. Shred your charge receipts with account numbers.
Business dumpster diving: ask that business that has your personal information if they merely throw their trash out, or do they have it shredded. Make them accountable. If they don’t shred, ask for your own trash with any personal information, and shred it when you get home.
Especially ask that medical or dentist office if they shred their trash. Medical and dental offices are supposed to be HIPAA compliant, which is a strict set of government rules keeping you anonymous in the office, and in their care. Your information is not supposed to be breached in any way. The next patient through the door is not privy to your name or your SSN after you’ve signed in.
Many grocery manufacturers and suppliers have RFID in the packaging. If you really want to keep your information private, nuke your packaging in the microwave with a cup of water inside the microwave for ten seconds. (We recommend buying a secondary microwave solely for the purpose of nuking your packaging.) This will destroy the RFID chip. For safety purposes, standby with a fire extinguisher while the microwave pops the RF tags.
There is a fully patented RFID reader system that allows a driver to drive past your garbage and determine the products you have purchased and how long it took you to use them, should somebody want to do so.

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Mailboxes:

Get a locking mailbox. Account numbers and personal data can easily be stolen from a mailbox.
Drop any outgoing mail off directly inside the post office to avoid secondary hands from gaining access to your checks or billing information. Do not leave it at your mailbox for the postman to pick up. The red flag up on your mailbox is a marker for would be thieves to take your mail instead.
If you are going on vacation or extended stay away, have your mail forwarded or contact the local post office to hold your mail. 1-800-275-8777 is the phone number for this service.
If you haven’t been getting your mail, double check with your local post office clerk. ID thieves often fill out a “change of address” form and have your bills forwarded to alternate addresses so you cannot see the charges adding up under your name!
If you are receiving credit cards in the mail you have not applied for, call the credit card company and ask to speak to a supervisor. Get a copy of the original application, and ask them to put a notice on your name and credit right away. Attend to this matter immediately.
Send out a RESPECT MY PRIVACY letter to all your insurance companies, your banks, investment companies and credit card companies. Insurance and financial services providers receive information on a daily basis about any clients and may actually legally share that information with “any nonaffiliated third parties”. Information may be your name, address, age, marital status, SSN, annual income, employer, group plan sponsor, association for any group product you may have, medical information, motor vehicle reports or any other information you consider personal. When you send this letter out, you may also request a copy of whatever information they may have on file with regards to your history, and ask them to delete information you do not want kept in your files, AND you may request that they not share your information with any third parties except on a case by case basis after you have been contacted and given permission for that one incident. When you send this letter off, be certain to send it registered with return receipt.
Never accept any cut rate offers for Living Trusts, Wills or final documents in the mail. They want your personal and private information for other reasons.
If you move from your house, or are thinking of moving, get a Personal Mail Box at a shipping station, and begin to have all of your mail changed with that address, including your credit cards. Change your address with the BIG three credit bureaus, in order to have all mail sent to the new Personal Mail Box. When you actually leave your residence and move elsewhere, credit card applications will be sent to your Personal Mail Box, which can be forwarded and not to your old home address for possible fraudulent activity. The USPS forwarding address request is only good for six months, so either renew it every six months, or continue to have your mail forwarded from the Personal Mail Box by the shipping station.
If you want off national mailing lists, send $1 in Money Order to the Direct Marketing Associations'(DMA) Mail Preference Service (MPS). You will have to re-register after five years.

Mail Preference Service/ "do not mail"
Direct Marketing Association
P.O. Box 643
Carmel, NY 10512

http://www.dmachoice.org/consumerassistance.php for more information on reducing junk mail and spam e-mails.

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Phones:

AIR SPACE is PUBLIC DOMAIN. Be careful what you say and share. If you are talking on a cell phone, remember any frequency can be intercepted, captured and recorded.
The same applies to wireless home phones on 2.4 GHz or 5.8 GHz frequencies. Never give out your credit card or debit card number over the wireless phones even if you’ve called to order something. These are open air waves, and unless you are using a land line talking to another on a land line, or a Skype to Skype phone system with encryption, your conversation can easily be listened to by interception technology.
Never believe that the bank would call you for your account information or anything else important such as a pin number.
Never believe that the sheriff’s posse, or the local fire department is soliciting for your funds. These are often scams to get your information. Contact them directly yourself to donate.
Do not give out your birthday or any other personal private information from a call you’ve received, no matter the scheme.
If you get phone calls about merchandise or products you did not purchase, get as much information from the caller as possible, without giving any of your personal information. Take notes and follow up on the matter. Your identity may have been stolen and used for those purchases.
If you get a phone call to call another number for an issue, such as with your bank, be sure to look up the actual number of your bank. Fraudsters are using clever schemes and having you call their numbers.
Skype uses an SSL 256, an even higher method of secure encryption while talking. In order for this to work, you must be using Skype to Skype phone access. (www.Skype.com)
If you are in a private meeting, turning off your cell phone will not keep your conversation from being heard. The technology is out there which allows your conversation to be heard, even with your cell phone turned off. You must take the battery out.
To be removed from telephone call lists, send a letter to:

Telephone Preference Service
c/o Direct Marketing Association
PO Box 9014
Farmingdale, New York 11735-9014

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Banking:

Keep an Armadillo Dollar or Armadillo Dollar Black card folder in your wallet or billfold so your identity protection is shielded against wireless theft from skimming. Put your RF debit and credit cards inside the Armadillo Dollars!
When ordering new checks, ask the bank to have them sent to the bank branch for you to pick them up instead of having them mailed to your home.
Your bank will never ever ask for your account information, or your PIN online.
Use caution when selling anything overseas. Foreign checks can take as long as 4 weeks to clear for deposit, long after you've sent off the goods. If the check is fraudulent, you are left with nothing and recourse is difficult if possible at all.

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Checks and Money Orders:

When you pay with a check, be aware that you are handing a piece of information with your name, address, account numbers and a copy of your signature to a stranger. Check fraud is a significant problem.
Do not put your SSN, your home phone number or address on your checks. Get a P.O. Box and use that instead.
When you are writing and signing a check, use a pen with penetrating ink, like a Uni-ball, not a ballpoint pen which can be bleached and changed.
Link to Unibal Website
When ordering new checks, ask the bank to have them sent to the bank branch for you to pick them up instead of having them mailed to your home.
Many scams are done with checks when the main Modus Operandi is when you are given a larger amount on a check or money order for any reason, and then you are asked to forward or send the extra money out. The original check or money order given to you will eventually be found fraudulent, and you will have forwarded your own cash out to a thief. Do not get caught up with any schemer suggesting events like this, for any reason.

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Credit Cards:

Write "See ID" on the back of your credit cards after the signature. This will encourage clerks to always check for your ID against your card.
Many credit cards are RF tagged, which makes them vulnerable to hackers, so keep an Armadillo Dollar product wrapped around them.
Destroy hotel keys. These temporary cards have your information on them, and could be used unscrupulously in the wrong hands.
You can build credit with the use of a credit card, but please sign it right away when you receive it.
You can withhold a payment if you encounter a problem with a purchase.
If there are fraudulent charges, you are generally responsible for the first $50, unless your contract states otherwise.
Never let others use your credit card.
If using your credit card at a payment machine, be aware of the system. If something looks rigged, it could be a parasitic system designed just to get your card number.
Monitor your card statements, examine the charges on them. Thieves will often charge $1 to "test the waters" before using the cards for larger more serious charges.
Mark your calendar when statements should arrive each month, if they don’t arrive within seven (7) days, call your credit company, bank and post office for address changes made by crooks.
Do not let your card “out of your site”. Request that the restaurant, hotel or vendor bring a portable pay station to you, or follow the server to the payment station and make sure it’s only scanned once.

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Debit Cards:

Can also be RF tagged, which makes them vulnerable to hackers, unless you have an Armadillo Dollar product wrapped around them.
Looks like a credit card, but works like an electronic check.
Unlike credit cards, you cannot build credit when you use them.
Debit cards do not offer the same fraud protection as credit cards do.
You cannot withhold a purchase until investigation occurs from the card company.
If there are fraudulent charges, you may be responsible for all of the charges, or as much as $500, depending on your contract with your financial institution.
Never let others use your debit card and know your PIN.
If using your debit card at a payment system and something looks out of order on the system, do not use the ATM. Watch for skimmer devices setup “Mag stripe skimming setups” have been known to give messages on the screen such as "OUT OF ORDER", or "PLEASE COME BACK LATER" after you've swiped your debit card and given them your information.
Be aware of "Shoulder surfers" looking over your shoulder, taking a picture of your card with their cell phone and/or watching you type in your PIN.
Do not let your card “out of your site”. Request that the restaurant, hotel or vendor bring a portable pay station to you and make sure it’s only scanned once or follow the server to the payment station and watch them.
Sign this card right away after you've received it.
Your debit card may be used as a credit card without your PIN!

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Online payment systems:

When using your bank or another online payment system, be sure to look for the (s) in https://www.yourbank.com in the domain string and a lock icon in the domain bar. The (s) means that the site is using an SSL (Secure Socket Layer) consisting usually of 128 bit encryption in order for the banking transmission to take place.
Also, if you want to check that SSL, click on the little lock icon at the top of the domain address bar. It will open up another window. Click VIEW on the new window, and the information on that sites’ SSL will be shown. This will confirm that you are actually using a site that is as secure as reasonably possible for this day and age.
Never do online banking over a wireless (wifi) network, even if you think it's secure. WEP can be hacked!
Use a third party payer like Paypal. The merchant does not ever see your bank account or credit card information.
Sign up for Pre-Paid Legal Identity Theft Guard or a similar service, which contacts you prior to any account being opened in your name. (This is not a credit monitoring service. Pre-Paid Legal Identity Theft Guard service stops the fraudulent account before it’s opened by calling you for verification.) This diminishes banking fraud significantly.
Sign up for LifeLock through us for 20% off! Use the coupon code "Dilly" at LifeLock.com or call 1-877-543-3562 to sign up.
Sign up for a credit monitoring service through your bank or through a website such as TrueCredit.com. Any impact affecting your credit report will notify you via e-mail. If you need to call 1-877-322-8228.
Monitor your accounts frequently. Order your credit reports at https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp
(You’re allowed to do this once a year free at this domain.)

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Check Your Credit Report:

To buy a copy of your credit reports, contact them:
Equifax (www.equifax.com) 800-685-1111
Experian (www.experian.com) 888-397-3742
Transunion (www.transunion.com) 800-916-8800
Call 1-888-5OPTOUT and ask to stop credit card companies from sending pre-approved credit card applications to your house. They are ticking identity theft bombs.
Ask your credit card firms to stop sending you “convenience checks”. They too, are ticking time bombs for identity theft.

For more free information regarding protecting your money and credit, get free data from Pueblo, Colorado here:

If you’ve had a denial of credit for no apparent reason, get a credit check right away. Your personal credit could be maxed out without your knowledge!

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LEARN, ACT, TAKE YOUR POWER BACK!

“Knowledge is only power if you put it to use!”