Identity Theft Checklist

1. Do you avoid carrying sensitive personal data (Social Security number, PIN numbers) in your wallet?

2. Is your home mailbox locked? Do you avoid dropping off mail in unlocked boxes?

3. When asked by a merchant for your Social Security number, do you ask if this is required and why?

4. Do you avoid using your Social Security number as a general ID number at school, work, clubs, etc.?

5. Do you subscribe to a credit monitoring service? Or do you take advantage of free credit reports from each reporting service once per year?

6. Do you own and use a personal shredder to dispose of sensitive data or documents?

7. If you store sensitive personal data on a hard drive, is it located in a place in your home or office that is not easily accessible? Is any sensitive data on it encrypted?

8. If you access the internet via a home or wi-fi network, is it secure?

9. When you make a charge on your credit card, are you careful to watch how it is handled?

10. Do you have a detailed record of all the credit, debit or ATM access cards that you own -- and addresses for reporting the loss or theft of each?

11. Do you review your credit or debit statements and bank accounts each month with an eye toward unauthorized charges or withdrawals?

12. Do you always avoid sharing sensitive personal information with strangers via phone or email?

13. Have you checked public access databases to be sure your Social Security number is not easily accessible? Are you aware of any redaction laws in your state?

14. Have you consolidated your financial business with a few solid companies whom you can trust?

15. Are you sure your tax return is being prepared locally, so that your tax data stays in the same office to which it was delivered?