Identity theft prevention guide

Helpful tips to fight identity theft and fraud

• Elder fraud tips

  • Stay connected with older loved ones through regular phone calls, visits or emails.
  • Ensure they are set up for direct deposit of checks so others don’t have to cash them.
  • Help your older loved ones sign up for the National Do Not Call registry to prevent telemarketer calls and reduce the possibility of elder fraud.
  • Advise your older loved ones to not sign any documents they don’t understand.
  • Regularly check on their financial situation. Discuss or review financial transactions, bills and emails with them.
  • Let them know they should always check with you or another trusted person before giving any personal or financial information to anyone.
  • Watch for unusual recent changes in the person’s accounts, including atypical withdrawals, new person(s) added, or sudden use of a senior’s ATM or credit card.
  • Check on your older loved one’s appearance/mental health. Do they suddenly appear confused, unkempt, and afraid.
  • Review utility, rent, mortgage, medical, or other essential bills to see if they are unpaid despite adequate income.
  • If there is a caregiver, make sure they do not allow others access to your older loved one without your consent.
  • There are piled up sweepstakes mailings, magazine subscriptions, or “free gifts,” which means they may be on “sucker lists.”

• Social Security Number tips

  • Try to memorize your Social Security Number.
  • Don’t carry your Social Security card.
  • Don’t add your Social Security Number to checks.
  • Be cautious when providing your Social Security Number; ask the requestor if another form of identification is acceptable.
  • Changing your Social Security Number is not recommended. Your original SSN is attached to many documents, including credit reports, and a new number could look suspicious to creditors and employers. Plus, a new number would have an absence of any credit history and could make it very difficult to apply for jobs, bank accounts, or credit cards.

• Shredding tips

  • Always a good idea to shred documents that include any personal information that could be used for identity theft.
  • Look for a shredder that cuts both lengthwise and crosswise.
  • Many business like Staples and the UPS Store offer shredding services; check online for coupons.
  • Check your local city/town calendar; sometimes free shredding is offered as a special event.

• Computer and mobile device tips

  • Be selective with the automatic log-in feature that can prefill user names and passwords.
  • Always sign out or off when you are done.
  • Utilize any face or fingertip recognition features.
  • Use secure browsers that can encrypt (scramble) your information; look for a picture of a lock on the status bar.
  • Clear your cache/browser history often.
  • Backup all files on a regular basis.
  • Update virus protection and operating system software; if possible, also add a firewall.
  • Be cautious when using your computer/mobile device in public; be aware of “shoulder surfing.”

• Password and PIN tips

  • Never use your Social Security or phone number or consecutive numbers like “1234.”
  • Do not use “password.”
  • Do not use familiar dates such as birthdays or anniversaries.
  • Use a combination of upper/lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
  • Try to memorize your password or PIN. If you need to write it down, do not place in a common spot like taped to a computer or under a keyboard and do not write your PIN down on the card it’s associated with.
  • Never share your password or PIN.

• ATM tips

  General

  • Be aware of the surroundings/location of machine; have card and all paperwork ready. If you are in an isolated area, have your phone out and preset to “911.”
  • Consider cancelling your transaction and immediately pocketing your card if you notice anything suspicious.
  • When making a withdrawal, do not count your cash at the machine.
  • Always take your receipt. If you don’t want it, dispose of it safely (shred) and do not use the trash receptacle at the ATM.

  Walk-up ATM

  • Choose a well-lit location; preferably not isolated from other buildings.
  • Park close and do not leave keys in ignition or car running.
  • If ATM is enclosed and locked (such as in a lobby), do not enter if someone else is using the machine. Do not let anyone in, if possible, while you are conducting your transaction.
  • Be cautious of anyone who stands close and/or tries to engage you in conversation during your transaction.
  • Stand squarely in front of the machine to keep your transaction as confidential as possible.

  Drive-up ATM

  • Keep car running, doors locked, and only open the driver’s window.
  • Make sure you can reach machine comfortably through the window; avoid opening car door and leaning out to access ATM.

• Banking account tips

  • Reconcile your monthly statements in a timely manner. Be familiar with statement cycles; if you don’t receive your monthly bill, contact your bank. Your statement may have been diverted.
  • Consider eDelivery over paper statements (Webster Bank offers eDelivery).
  • Check statements carefully; make sure all deposits, charges, checks, and withdrawals are verified.
  • When depositing a check, include “for deposit only” on the back with your signature. This way if you lose the check or it’s stolen, it can’t be cashed by anyone else.
  • Immediately let the bank know if any checks have been stolen.
  • Do not add your Social Security or driver’s license number to checks.
  • Use online banking and bill pay over paper checks.
  • When you close a checking account, shred all leftover checks.

• Credit card tips

  • Report a lost or stolen card as soon as possible.
  • Always sign the back of your card.
  • Keep the number of credit cards you carry to a minimum.
  • Cancel old cards.
  • Immediately destroy (shred) any pre-approved credit applications; identity thieves can use them to open accounts in your name.
  • If a child age 16 or younger receives a pre-approved credit application, it could be a red flag that identity theft has occurred; contact the credit reporting agencies to open an investigation.
  • Immediately contact your issuer if you don’t receive a physical card for an account you’ve been approved for.
  • Take your credit card receipt with you from any transaction; destroy on your own.
  • Stay on top of your cards’ expiration dates; contact your issuer if you don’t receive a new card prior to expiration.

• U.S. Post Office tips

  • Install a lockable mailbox to reduce theft.
  • Consider a P.O. Box.
  • Promptly remove incoming mail.
  • Use the “hold mail” feature or have someone regularly pick up mail when away for an extended period of time.
  • Fraudsters are targeting the blue U.S. mail boxes – they like the fact that a lot of mail sits in those boxes for hours. Check the label on the box for pick-up times and deposit mail as close to pick-up as possible.
  • Give outgoing mail either directly to mail carrier or bring to post office.
  • If you have a mailbox with a flag on it to indicate outgoing mail, try not to use it for bill payments; most statements have the kind of personal information fraudsters are looking for.