California State University Police

1
California State University Police

• Identity Theft Prevention Tips

2
California State University Police

• An identity thief takes some piece of your
  personal information and uses it without your
  knowledge. The thief may run up debts or even
  commit crimes in your name. It may not be
  possible to completely prevent identity theft,
  but you can lower your risk of becoming a victim.

3
California State University Police

• Protect yourself! Manage your personal
  information wisely. Protect your home address,
  home telephone number, Social Security number,
  bank and credit card account numbers, and PIN
  numbers.

4
California State University Police

• Dont carry your Social Security card in your
  wallet! Its an open invitation for an identity
  thief. Check your health plan and other cards.
  They may have your Social Security number on
  them. Carry only the identifying information
  that you need.

5
California State University Police

• Tear up or shred papers. Tear up or shred papers
  with personal information before you throw them
  away. Tear up credit card offers and
  convenience checks that you dont use. Obtain
  a home paper shredder employing criss-cut or
  confetti-cut features.

6
California State University Police

• Dont give out personal information on the phone!
  Dont give out your personal information on the
  phone unless you made the call or know the
  caller. The same goes for mail. Any personal
  information you put on the internet may be
  especially vulnerable. Do not place catalog
  orders using a cordless or cellular phone.
  Thieves with scanners may be monitoring your call!

7
California State University Police

• Ask how your information will be used. Before
  you give any personal information to a business,
  ask how it will be used. Ask if the business
  will share your information with others. Ask if
  you can have your personal information kept
  confidential. Avoid on-line poll-takers who
  seek personal information. Avoid poll takers who
  get too personal and ask data not relevant to
  the contact.

8
California State University Police

• Control your financial information. If you want
  to limit the sharing of your financial
  information, write to your bank, your credit card
  company, insurance carriers, and securities
  companies. Tell them that you want to opt-out
  of sharing your personal financial information
  with outside companies. You are permitted to do
  this under federal law.

9
California State University Police

• On campus credit card applications? Avoid
  applying for a credit card from a
  representative on campus. No guarantee that
  your personal information is secure. If the card
  is desired, accept the application form and
  process it yourself. Mail it inside a business
  envelope.

10
California State University Police

• Check your credit card bills carefully each
  month. Look for unauthorized charges and report
  any to your card issuer immediately. Call if
  bills dont arrive on time. It may mean that
  someone has changed the address or other
  information so that you would not learn about
  fraudulent charges.

11
California State University Police

• Examine your method of mail delivery. If you
  reside in an apartment complex, check your
  mailbox. Are you the only one with a key to it?
  Home owner? Is your mailbox secured once the
  letter carrier makes a delivery? Consider a post
  office box at the US Post Office or Commercial
  Mailing Service (Mail Boxes Etc.).

12
California State University Police

• Get your name off marketing lists. Stop
  pre-approved credit card offers. Have your
  name removed from credit bureau marketing lists.
• Call toll-free 888-5OPTOUT

13
California State University Police

• Have your name, address, and phone number removed
  from any other market lists. Contact the Direct
  Marketing Association. This will not stop all
  marketing and telephone calls, but it will cut
  out many.

14
California State University Police

• DMA Mail Preference Service
• PO Box 643
• Carmel, NY 10512
• DMA Telephone Preference Service
• PO Box 1559
• Carmel, NY 10512
• Online requests cost 5
• www.the-dma.org

15
California State University Police

• Business line 310-243-3639
• FAX [phone]