The methods that cause the most identity theft aren't the sophisticated ones. Dumpster diving and mail theft still account for more cases than phishing — which means the highest-impact protection steps are often the least technical ones.
If you suspect identity theft
- Report mail theft to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service
- Report counterfeit cards or hacking to the U.S. Secret Service
- Contact the credit bureaus for a fraud alert (these expire every 90 days and need renewing)
- Consider a credit freeze — roughly $30 per bureau
- Report to the FTC at identitytheft.gov, or call 1-877-IDTHEFT
Everyday protection steps
- Secure incoming mail in a locked box
- Shred documents with personal or financial information
- Pull your annual credit report from all three bureaus, not just one
- Never use your ATM PIN anywhere except an ATM
Financial security online
Never enter an account number on a page without "https" and a lock icon. Monitor accounts regularly rather than waiting for a statement. Use complex passwords — symbols and mixed case, not predictable personal details anyone could guess or look up.
Staying ahead of it
- Check card expiration dates for anything unexpected
- Verify receipts against statements line by line
- Opt out of pre-approved credit offers at OptOutPrescreen.com
- Move to electronic statements to cut down on paper theft opportunities