Protect Your Identity Today!

Identity thieves are lurking online, at your front door, over the phone and even searching through your garbage! Make sure to take precautionary steps to keep your identity safe. Here are 15 things that you can do today to help protect your identity:

• Shred all personal documents
• Take your Social Security card and Medicare card out of your wallet
• Create strong passwords for online accounts and change them regularly
• Make sure your smartphone has a passcode to access it
• Check your free annual credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com or call: 877-322-8228
• Manage your privacy settings on social media sites like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
• Keep your purse and wallet in secure locations when they are not on your body
• Do not put outgoing checks or bills in your mailbox at home, take them to the post office
• Check your financial statements online regularly
• Delete emails that look suspicious
• Do not open attachments or click on links in an email from someone you don’t know
• Before engaging with a business or shopping online, do your research on the company through the Better Business Bureau or other consumer forum
• Never give your Social Security number or banking numbers to an unsolicited caller
• Keep your personal documents in a secure location like a safe or locked box
• Update your computer’s anti-virus software

If you are concerned that your identity has been stolen visit www.identitytheft.gov for next steps and/or contact an AARP Foundation ElderWatch volunteer specialist at 800-222-4444, option 2, to talk you through the situation.