Ask about information security procedures in your workplace or at businesses, doctor's offices or other institutions that collect
your personally identifying information. Find out who has access to your personal information and verify that it is handled securely.
Ask about the disposal procedures for those records as well. Find out if your information will be shared with anyone else. If so,
ask how your information can be kept confidential.
Identity theft is a crime where someone wrongly gets and uses another individual's personal data, usually for financial gain. Your
name, social security number, credit card information, checking and banking data, employment records, credit reports, telephone calling
card or phone number -- these are the most common types of information that are compromised in an identity theft incident. Once the
thief gets this type of information, he can use it to buy, charge, and otherwise 'steal' things pretending to be another person.
Place passwords on your credit card, bank, and phone accounts. Avoid using easily available information like your mother's maiden name, your birth date, the last four digits of your SSN or your phone number, or a series of consecutive numbers. When opening new accounts, you may find that many businesses still have a line on their applications for your mother's maiden name. Ask if you can use a password instead the text.
Secure personal information in your home, especially if you have roommates, employ outside help, or are having work done in your home.
