How can I reduce my risk of becoming a victim of fraud?

You can reduce the risk of becoming a victim of fraud by following the following advice:

  • Don’t use your birth date or mother’s maiden name as a password for your accounts.
  • Avoid writing your account numbers on your checks when paying your credit card bills. If a criminal steals your monthly bank statement, these canceled checks will give the criminal all the information he or she needs to commit fraud.
  • Protect your Social Security number. Be careful to whom you give it. Do not put it or your driver’s license number on your checks.
  • Shred your credit card receipts and bank statements before throwing away in the trash.
  • Request credit reports from each of the credit bureaus, checking for discrepancies, on a regular basis.

Show All Answers

1. My bank has sent me cancelled checks, which I did not write or authorize. What should I do?
2. Someone has been forging my name on stolen or counterfeit checks. I know one of the checks was cashed at a merchant that had video surveillance. What will happen?
3. When someone forged my checks, the person’s driver’s license number was recorded. Why isn’t that good enough to establish their identity?
4. I keep receiving “bad check” notices from merchants. What am I supposed to do?
5. Why is the original document required to file charges?
6. My checks or credit cards were stolen in the mail. Can I report them stolen?
7. What if my checks or credit cards are stolen from my purse?
8. What do I do if someone uses my identity to open a charge account or checking account in my name?
9. How do I contact the credit bureaus or the check verification companies?
10. How can I reduce my risk of becoming a victim of fraud?
11. My driver’s license was stolen and someone is using my number. What do I do?