Security Tips to Protect Your Identity

• When ordering personal checks, have your first initials and last name put on the checks.
• Use your work phone number on your checks.
• Use a P.O.Box number or your work address on your checks.
• NEVER have your Social Security number put on your checks.
• When asked for your Social Security number, question the need for your number and if it is truly important to the transaction. Do not give out this number unnecessarily.
• When paying credit card bills, do not put full account number of your card on the check but only the last four digits.
• Protect the contents of your wallet by photocopying each credit card, your driver's license and any other cards that have personal information on them. Store the photocopies in a secure place. You will have this information ready if your wallet should be lost or stolen.
• Purchase a good quality paper shredder and shred all paper work containing personal information. Do not just throw it away.

If your personal information is stolen, here are the steps to protect yourself.

1. File a police report in the jurisdiction where the theft occurred.
2. Call the three national credit-reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. The numbers are as follows;

Equifax/Beacon:1 800 525-6285

Experian/Fair Isaac Score: (formerly TRW) 1 888 397-3742

Trans Union/New Empirica: 1 800 680-7289

Social Security Administration (fraud line) 1 800 269-0271

For additional information, visit the government's website www.pueblo.gsa.gov