National Protect Your Identity Week

It's National Protect Your Identity Week, so take a few minutes to complete a few quick tasks that can help protect your identity and your finances.

Nearly 10 million people in the U.S. were victims of identity fraud in 2008, according to statistics from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Identity Theft Database. Identity theft is so rampant that it was the top complaint to the FTC the past five years.

Keep in mind that 25% of people who had new accounts opened in their name were unaware it it until more than six months later. Also, 16% of identity theft victims personally knew the individual who stole their identity.

Use the following checklist to complete a few tasks that can help decrease the chance of you falling prey to an identity theft scam.

• Visit annualcreditreport.com to get a free copy of your credit report. You can access credit reports from Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian.


• Change passwords on online accounts for credit cards, banks, and other financial institutions. Avoid using your Social Security number or birthdate as a password.


• Remove your Social Security card from your wallet and keep it in a safe place.


• Shred financial documents instead of tossing them in the trash.


• Lock up financial documents and other sensitive information if you have people working in your home.


• Take the Identity Theft RiskCheck quiz at the National Foundation for Credit Counseling site.

Identity theft is a serious problem. Avoid giving out personal information to unknown callers or people who send unsolicited emails. Also avoid sharing passwords and other financial information with friends and other relatives who are not joint account holders to cut down on the chances of being ripped off by someone you know.