Below is a list of some steps you can take to avoid becoming a victim:

• Do NOT carry your social security card or any other document that carries your social security number. If your social security number is stolen the identity thief has everything needed to completely compromise your identity.
• Get a locking mailbox or a P.O. Box. Mail theft is the source of a large percentage of identity theft, particularly in Pierce County. Additionally, do NOT put out-going mail in your mailbox. Deposit all outgoing mail in an approved United States Postal Service mailbox.
• Shred all documents (use a cross-cut shredder). Identity thieves will go through your trash or the trash of local businesses looking for personal data ('dumpster diving').
• Keep passports and other important personal/financial information in a safe. This is particularly important if you have in-home help. Burglars now look for passports, social security numbers and other personal/financial information because that information can be quickly and easily sold on the street.
• Provide your social security number only when absolutely necessary. If a business or organization asks for it, be sure to ask them why they need it, what they will do with it and how they will protect it. If you are not comfortable with the answers, do NOT provide it.
• Do NOT pre-print your social security number on your checks or allow it be written on your checks. If you have an elderly friend/relative/neighbor, talk to them about it.
• Do NOT have your driver's license pre-printed on your checks.
• Do NOT allow your child's social security number to be used to sign up for school/sports activities.
• If your insurance company, bank, or other organization uses your social security number as an account or ID number, call them and insist that they change it.
• Contact your credit card companies and ask them not to send 'convenience checks' unless you specifically request them.
• Do NOT give out personal/financial information over the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet unless you initiated the contact. No legitimate business will initiate contact with you and ask for your password, account and/or personal information.
• If you surf the Internet, you must have up-to-date anti-virus and firewall software installed. You should also install an anti-spyware program.
• Keep your computer operating system updated and download all security patches as they come out.
• Be careful about 'phishing' scams on the Internet. 'Phishing' is a high-tech scam that uses e-mail or pop-up messages to deceive you into disclosing your password, account information or other personal/financial information. To see examples of 'phishing' and to test your knowledge go online at http://survey.mailfrontier.com.
• Before you dispose of a computer, make sure you use a 'wipe' utility to overwrite the entire hard drive. It's not enough to just delete files because they can easily be retrieved.
• Do NOT leave your wallet, purse, checkbook in your vehicle, even for a short time. It WILL be stolen. Check your glovebox and remove all documents that contain your personal and/or financial information.
• Do NOT leave your purse unattended in shopping carts even for a few seconds.
• Order your credit report from each credit reporting bureau at least once a year. You are now entitled to one free report each year from each credit bureau. To order your free annual credit report from one or all of the credit reporting agencies, you can call 1-877-322-8228 or go online at www.annualcreditreport.com.
• Reduce the number of pre-approved credit card offers by contacting (888)-5OPTOUT ((888)-567-8688.) (They will request your social security number).
• Make copies of the front and back of all credit/debit cards and put them in a secure place (not purse or wallet). If your cards are stolen you will know the contact names and numbers.

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