How To Protect Against Identity Theft

• Don’t leave valuables in your car, particularly your laptop, mobile phone and wallet

• Shred sensitive documents, don’t just throw them in the trash or recycling bin. Micro-cut shredders, which shred documents into confetti, are available for around $30

• Use a password to secure your smartphone. Avoid obvious passwords, such as your birthday, pet names and sequential numbers like 1,2,3,4

• Change the password on your computer regularly, at least once every three months. In addition, use strong passwords on all your financial accounts

• Don’t share your Social Security number unless it is absolutely necessary

• Don’t carry your Medicare card unless you are going to a health care appointment. Make a copy of your card instead, and block out all but the last four digits

• Don’t reveal personal information over the phone, on the Internet or when using regular mail unless the contact was initiated by you. Similarly, don’t respond to communications purportedly from financial institutions. Instead, contact the institution yourself